"Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day." So what?
Have you ever lived in a community that lives off a $1 a day that is not experiencing famine and that truly seems happy? Because I have. In no way is that a standard of living that will work for everyone, but in some communities, that is all you need to live simply and simply live.
Often when you hear about international poverty, you hear organizations, leaders, statistics describe communities as living off less than a $1 a day. To this day, economic factors of GDP are most often used to legitimize NGOs, international organizations like the World Bank, UN, and International Monetary Fund, when in reality providing aid to programs to increase economic growth may not be the answer to international development, world happiness, and eradicating poverty.
The Institute of Development Studies argues that instead of focusing on the amount of money an average person makes, it would be much more useful to identify the inequality gap of the nation, levels of education, and overall well-being. Well-being is a heavily criticized yet emerging tactic for development research. This strategy and approach to development is gaining speed as recent "occupy" movements started by the Arab Spring spread across the world and the gaps in equality are finally visibily seen in social media and even mainstream media. Focusing on social unrest for many NGOs and international organizations would allow for increased impact in actually eradicating world poverty and creating sustainable change.
BBC argues that studies of well-being is the best approach to development and social change around the world.
"Prosperity alone does not lead to more stable and cohesive societies."
This is a sample, short question list for measuring well-being:
- Are you satisfied with life?
- Are you satisfied with your husband, wife or partner?
- How satisfied are you with your mental and physical health?
- Are you happy in your job?
- Do you feel involved in your neighbourhood?
- Are you happy with your personal income?
- Are you satisfied with your education?
- Data on how many voted and trust in Parliament will also be measured
- Statistics on the economy will also be included
- As will environmental factors, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants
In my opinion, this type of study of well-being would not only be useful in helping international development and NGO work but also local American development. As we have seen, these sort of questions are huge in an American's life as broadcasted by the occupy movement.
Also, studies like this would begin to provide a narrative about the people you are trying to "develop." If you know what the community truly wants to change to make their lives better without assuming what would be best for the people. The people become more a part of the development process and the sustainability of it. How often do you see what the local people think about development work? How often do you read what the people want from the international community?
Ultimately, GDP and average income does not tell the whole story about development.
Food for thought (especially for those who are much more experienced with economics than I am):
Do you think that well-being or economic studies are more useful in creating development strategies? If both are useful, what do you think would be the best approach to combining the studies?