Michael Porter Professor at Harvard Business School, is chairman of the Advisory Board to the Social Progress Imperative Economic growth has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and improved the lives of many more over the last half-century. Yet it is increasingly evident that a model of human development based on economic progress alone is incomplete. A society which fails to address basic human needs, equip citizens to improve their quality of life, protect the environment, and provide opportunity for many of its citizens is not succeeding. Inclusive growth requires both economic and social progress. The pitfalls of focusing on GDP alone are evident in the findings of the 2015 Social Progress Index, launched on April 9. The SPI, created in collaboration with Scott Stern of MIT and the non-profit Social Progress Imperative, measures the performance of 133 countries on various dimensions of social and environmental performance. It is the most comprehensive framework developed for measuring social progress, and the first to measure social progress independently of GDP. Drawing on 52 indicators of a countrys social performance, the SPI offers a practical tool for government and business leaders to benchmark country performance and prioritize those areas where social improvement is most needed. The SPI thus provides a systematic, empirical foundation to guide strategy for inclusive growth. The data reveal that many aspects of social progress, not surprisingly, tend to improve with income growth. Wealthier countries, such as Norway (which holds the top spot on this years SPI), generally deliver better social outcomes than lower-income countries. But a striking finding is that GDP is far from being the sole determinant of social progress. Costa Rica, for example, has achieved a higher level of social progress than Italy, with barely a third of Italys per capita GDP. And Costa Rica is not an isolated case. Across the spectrum of countries, from rich to poor, we see examples, such as New Zealand and Senegal, that are far more successful at translating their economic growth into social progress than others, such as the United States and Nigeria. Many of the fast-growing emerging economies, including China and India, have also not yet been able to attain the level of social progress that their economic progress enables. Where there is an imbalance between economic growth and social progress, political instability and unrest often arise, as in Russia and Egypt. Lagging social progress also holds back economic growth in these and other countries that fail to address human needs, build social capital, and create opportunity for their citizens. Countries must invest in social progress, not just economic institutions, to create the proper foundation for economic growth. In my own experience, I have seen how Rwanda made investing in social progress including gender equity, a 61% reduction in child mortality in a single decade, and 95% primary school enrolment integral to its economic development strategy. Rwandas positive economic performance would not have been possible without improvement in these and other dimensions of social progress. Focusing on social progress in this way leads to better development strategies, and builds political support for the controversial steps sometimes needed to increase prosperity. Rigorous measurement of social performance, alongside traditional economic indicators, is crucial to starting the virtuous circle by which GDP growth improves social and environmental performance in ways that drive even greater economic success. And, by avoiding narrow debates, such as GDP versus income inequality, the SPI provides an essential tool with which to craft a feasible agenda that does just that. Interest in the SPI has grown exponentially since its beta release in 2013. Findings are being shared among millions of citizens around the world, making it a tool for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. Moreover, strategic initiatives to drive improvement in social progress are underway in more than 40 countries. Paraguay, for example, has adopted the SPI to guide an inclusive national development plan for 2030. And the SPI is being used not just at the national level, but by regional and municipal authorities as well. States such as Para in Brazil, along with cities like Bogota and Rio de Janeiro in Latin America and Somerville in the US state of Massachusetts, are starting to use the SPI as a measure of development success. This year, the European Commission will roll out regional SPIs across Europe. And companies, such as Coca-Cola and Natura, are using the SPI to inform their social investment strategies and build collaborative relationships with public and private partners. GDP has been the benchmark guiding economic development for more than a half-century. The SPI is intended to complement (not replace) it as a core metric of national performance. Measuring social progress offers citizens and leaders a more complete picture of how their country is developing. And that will help societies make better choices, create stronger communities, and enable people to lead more fulfilling lives. Project Syndicate
Top Stories
RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR
【時事評論】忽視民意錯難返
和暖3月天的澳門,突然來了一場大風暴。特區政府月中推出「2021保就業、穩經濟、顧民生計劃」冀振興內部經濟,卻因受惠對象對錯焦、操作過於煩瑣、公平性、效用成疑等原因,反對、不滿此起彼落,不分派別,政府逼著暫緩、改良;更有人發起遊行示威,似乎聲勢浩大,政府「彈弓手」先批準遊行,後又以不達防疫要求為名,臨時叫停,原定遊行當日還派大量警力封鎖塔石,拉走12名仍到場人士,事件以最不愉快方式暫告一段落,然民怨未消,對新屆特區政府剛建立起來的管治威信,作一記重擊。封塔石禁遊行容易,直面群眾民意難,其實一點都不難,只要有胸襟、誠意、有商有量....
【時事評論】批判性思維的三招
多年前,我有幸聽到了已故的英國著名教育學家Harvey Goldstein的主題演講。他冷靜且禮貌地借用外科手術技巧,解剖並摧毀了當時英國政府的學校評估政策,成爲同類演説的典範。透過提出、分析、辯解、質疑、評估、批評和判斷有關政策,他權衡當中的利弊、影響及後果,揭露政府虛假、失誤和潛在的意識形態,將一概問題陳列在解剖桌上並逐一擊破。他就如同一名盡職盡責的珠寶商,解構真實構造:陳規舊習,運用高度清晰貶義詞匯包裝。這場演講令人享受其中。
【主編前言】施政失策 民怨堆積
去年初新冠肺炎疫情初現,特區政府果斷採取一連串防疫措施,力阻疫情在本澳出現,在疫情全球蔓延下,令澳門能保持零本地感染,亦令澳門居民對政府抱持高信任度和高評價。在去年疫情期間,政府推出兩輪振興經濟舒民困措施,亦獲市民認同。
【總監之言】未完成的工作
夜幕降臨不久,澳門城中心人群稀疏。過去一年以來,新冠肺炎疫情是導致訪澳旅客逐漸萎縮是關鍵因素,但在此之前,除了某些盛事節慶期間,在鬧市漫步仍給人一種空洞的感覺。當舖和娛樂場五光十色的霓虹燈無法掩蓋城市缺乏蓬勃夜經濟業務的事實。在關外的多個鄰近城市中,酒吧、夜市和表演場所,為城市商業區和濱海區注入生命。