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HUMAN FLOURISHING THROUGH PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT

Development of Framework

What is the framework of the de-development of rich countries all about?

The goal of de-development is for developed countries to focus less on growth and more
on living more effectively, lowering resource use, and minimizing waste. Instead of incentivizing
poorer countries to catch up, this encourages richer ones to deescalate to more suitable levels of
development. The framework was created in response to the planet's worrisome annual
overconsumption of nearly half of its biocapacity.
Peter Edward proposed that instead of pushing poor countries to “catch up” with rich
ones we should be getting rich countries to “catch down” which is known as the de-developing
framework. It doesn’t mean that rich people become poor but through reducing/lowering their
consumption of resources while maintaining and achieving long life expectancy and happiness.
States have high GDP compared to other countries, but the life expectancy is just almost the
same as the country of Cuba. Cuba has a low level of income, but they are living happily and
with long life.

How is the de-development framework different from traditional frameworks of

development?

Traditional frameworks are centered around continuous growth by improving the

country’s capabilities and conditions. Then help the lower-earning class to gradually catch up in
order to balance even in the end. On the other hand, the de-development framework is more
about the richer countries/ richer citizens diel down on their excessive consumption of resources
and living more efficiently. Basically, the difference is on which economic group is being asked
to put more effort and action.
We conclude that the traditional framework of the development of rich countries is not
the same as the de-development model. The idea of de-development in rich countries is much
important these days because it values more quality over quantity. It doesn’t matter how much is
your GDP per capita in your country and how many stuffs you got per income but having
contentment in your life it led to happiness.

According to Jason Hickel, how do rich countries de-develop?

Many things have been said about how developed countries can de-develop, but there is
only one important reason for our country to be safe and for people to live efficiently and
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HUMAN FLOURISHING THROUGH PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT
peacefully, and that is by reducing resource overconsumption and lowering standards for
countries to catch up to the most adequate level of development.

Hickel underlined the need of focusing on the quality of life rather than the quantity.
Having a high GDP does not necessarily imply happiness. Countries with lower GDP but high
happiness metrics demonstrate this. This suggests that wealthy countries may and should live
more mindfully and effectively in order to reduce consumption. For instance, instead of
replacing a fully operating car, improve it. Another method to satisfy the urge for the upgrade
while remaining efficient is to donate or sell the car to a friend or family before purchasing the
improvement, or not to buy the upgrade at all until it is absolutely necessary.

Some people might think that de-development is about giving things up. How does Hickel
explain that this is not the case?

According to Hickel, de-development entails more than simply giving up things; it entails
a shift in perspective and way of life rather than renouncing progress and oneself. De-
development entails living more efficiently and deliberately while considering one's actions and
consequences without losing one's financial security, personal advancement, or personal
interests. In the same way that traditional frameworks operate, the ultimate goal is to find the
proper balance.

References:
 https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-
network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs