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This book analyzes the politics of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conventional wisdom is that efforts to achieve the SDGs, or Global Goals, will contribute to building a more inclusive, sustainable and peaceful world. Adam Sneyd's analysis counters this orthodox and unduly utopian point of view, uncovering the hidden politics of the SDG project and showing why the SDGs are not an ambitious package of progressive reforms. Sneyd's analysis of each of the seventeen goals reveals how the SDGs are infused with minimalist intentions and a political orientation that sharply contrasts with the world-changing aspirations typically associated with the goals. He argues that the SDGs do more to bolster the legitimacy of the liberal international economic order and advance capitalist interests than to address pressing global challenges.
- Introduction
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-Being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Production and Consumption
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
- Conclusions
Adam Sneyd is an associate professor of political science at the University of Guelph. He is the author of numerous books on the politics of the global economy, including Politics Rules: Power, Globalization and Development. His research articles have been published in the Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Development and Change, Third World Quarterly and the Journal of Contemporary African Studies. He serves on the editorial boards for Scientific African and the Canadian Journal of Development Studies.
James Schneider is a political organizer, writer and communications director for the Progressive International. He co-founded the left-wing grassroots movement Momentum and was the UK Labour Party's press secretary. He is the author of Our Bloc: How We Win.
"This book is a concise, well-written, and impactful critique of the UN Sustainable Development Goals from the perspective of critical international political economy. I think a wide range of readers will enjoy it."
– Jesse Ovadia, associate professor, political science, University of Windsor
"The Sustainable Development Goals promised a new era of cooperation and prosperity. What happened? As the liberal order crumbles around us, Sneyd uncovers the hidden politics of UN goal-setting and shows how our institutions of global governance badly miscalculated the destabilizing effects of war, authoritarian populism and catastrophic climate collapse. This book is a must-read."
– Marc Froese, professor of political science, Burman University
