CSSN Scholar Farhana Sultana speaks about her perspective on what the true measures of global progress should be in an MIT Technology Review article.

Farhana Sultana: “Progress is often measured as economic growth only. But real progress would involve growth that doesn’t externalize social or environmental costs.

Progress is often measured in incremental gains such as the US Civil Rights Act. But limiting the idea of progress to only that act would miss the widespread structural racism that remains unaddressed. Similarly, climate agreements are indeed progress, but there aren’t enough concrete actions to halt the climate crisis, while marginalized groups pay the biggest price.

Progress must be measured by how well those at the bottom are doing, not only those at the top.”