Development as a global issue: VCE Politics Unit 3

What this dot point is asking

The design frames development as the continuing question of how best to advance the economic, social and human development of states and their citizens. It points to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted unanimously, and to setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inequality, political illiberalism and the struggle for global power.

The answer

The framework

In 2015 all UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda with 17 SDGs. They are goals and targets rather than binding law. They cover poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean energy, climate action and more.

Short-term causes of limited progress

• COVID-19 reversed gains in health, education and income for many states.
• Inflation, debt and conflict since 2021, including the war in Ukraine, raised food and energy prices.
• Inequality within and between states means growth does not always reach the poorest.
• Political illiberalism (governments that curb freedoms and checks on their power) weakens accountability, which can divert funds and limit participation.
• Great-power rivalry diverts attention and finance, and can block cooperation in the UN.
• Falling aid in some donor states. In 2025 the United States moved to wind down its aid agency, USAID, which was a major funder of programs around the world.

The UN's 2025 progress report found only about 35 percent of SDG targets on track or making moderate progress, with around 18 percent in reverse. The June 2026 report of the Secretary-General gave 36 percent on track or moderate and 15 percent regressed below the 2015 baseline.

Responses of global actors

• States. Donors give official development assistance and design national plans; developing states set priorities and manage debt.
• Institutions of global governance. The UN system (including the UN Development Programme), the World Bank and regional development banks provide finance, technical help and monitoring. The 2025 international financing for development conference in Seville aimed to mobilise more funding.
• Regional groupings. The African Union, ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum set regional development agendas.
• Non-state actors. NGOs deliver services and advocate; corporations invest and employ, but can also exploit workers or resources; philanthropic foundations fund health and agriculture.

Effectiveness and law

The SDGs shaped national planning and reporting, which counts as influence. But because they are voluntary, financing is uncertain and progress is behind schedule. Trade rules, debt arrangements and labour standards matter as much as aid.

Challenges and stability or change

Competing views about whether aid, trade or governance reform should come first; donor interests in tying aid to strategic goals; debt; and weak institutions. Failing development can contribute to instability and displacement, while successful development can strengthen states and reduce the causes of conflict.

Worked example

Question. Evaluate the effectiveness of international goals in addressing development.

Model answer outline. The SDGs achieved unanimous adoption and common measurement, which helps states plan and be held to account. However, the 2025 progress report showed most targets off track, and the goals are not binding, so shortfalls bring no penalty. Reductions in aid from some donors and debt pressures limit financing. Judgement: effective at setting direction and shared language, limited at delivering results.

Try this

Q1

Why are the SDGs described as voluntary? Model answer: They are a political agreement rather than a treaty, so states are not legally obliged to meet them.

Q2

Explain one way political illiberalism can hinder development. Model answer: Weak accountability and restrictions on civil society can reduce transparency and divert resources, slowing progress for citizens.

Q3

Identify a non-state actor responding to development and one limit on it. Model answer: An NGO delivering education programs; it relies on donor funding and cannot change national policy by itself.