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2023 | Book

Framing Mexico’s Unsustainable and Non-transformative Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with López Obrador Read chapter Read first chapter

Mexico and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda

Unsustainable and Non-Transformative

Author: Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Governance, Development, and Social Inclusion in Latin America

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This book explores how and why Mexico’s approach to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation with the López Obrador administration is unsustainable and non-transformative, overshadowed by his vision of Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation”. Approached as a super mantra revolving around “Republican Austerity” and “First, the poor”, it provides original analysis of structural and conjunctural challenges facing Mexico as regards People-, Planet-, and Peace-centered development. The book reveals the promise “First, the poor” is inconsistent with data on Mexico’s poverty reduction (SDG1). Despite record-high spending on social programs and unmatched coverage, the recent tendency of improvement in tackling poverty is rather ambiguous from the perspective of multidimensional poverty. The book covers access to clean energy (SDG7), resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization (SDG9), and safeguarding biodiversity (SDG15) by examining three megaproject case studies: the oil refinery Dos Bocas, the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the Maya Train, generating concern with the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainable development. The prospects for an ‘enabling environment’ for SDG implementation are hampered by persistently high levels of homicides and impunity (SDG16). Turning Mexico’s Armed Forces into ‘first development partner of choice’ is problematized as regards their reach in infrastructure megaprojects and social welfare programs, in the overall context of the ‘de-risking state’ favoring private capital. The result, as determined by Villanueva Ulfgard, has led Mexico further astray from sustainable and transformative development.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Framing Mexico’s Unsustainable and Non-transformative Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with López Obrador
Abstract
The introductory chapter defines the aim and scope of the book and contextualizes Mexico’s dilemma of development before introducing the ascent to power and ideology of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This study claims that Mexico’s SDG implementation with the current administration is marked by the executive’s vision of Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation” under his rule (endogenous factor), and the COVID-19 pandemic (exogenous factor). The former is approached as a super mantra for the López Obrador government which revolves around two ideas: “Republican Austerity” and “For the good of all, the poor come first”. The chapter then traces the evolution of the United Nations sustainable development agenda. Critical perspectives on development and the 2030 Agenda and SDG implementation provide conceptual frames to identify, problematize, and ponder where Mexico is heading with its SDG implementation. Subsequently, the chapter examines the institutional infrastructure for this purpose. It closes with Mexico’s Voluntary National Review 2021 presented at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Chapter 2. People-Centered Development: SDG1 in Focus
Abstract
This chapter contrasts the implementation of SDG1 “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s super mantra on Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation” and his election promise “For the good of all, the poor come first” infusing the National Development Plan 2019–2024 and the government’s 2030 Agenda implementation strategy. The chapter reveals the promise “First, the poor” is inconsistent with data on Mexico’s poverty reduction. Despite record-high spending on social programs and unmatched coverage, the recent tendency of improvement in tackling poverty is rather ambiguous from the perspective of multidimensional poverty. Two circumstances have intensified this trend: the Federal Law of Republican Austerity and the President’s awkward handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has aggravated poverty and the crisis in the public health care sector. There is thus a marked dissonance between the deepening of Mexico’s dilemma of development and the executive’s super mantra on Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation” feeding government propaganda concerning poverty reduction. Complementing this discussion, the chapter examines the most emblematic social programs for welfare and well-being of the López Obrador administration.
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Chapter 3. Planet-Centered Development: SDG7, SDG9, and SDG15 in Focus
Abstract
This chapter discusses SDGs 7, 9, and 15 covering access to clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable industrialization, and safeguarding biodiversity. It revolves around three interrelated megaprojects of the López Obrador administration: the oil refinery Olmeca in Dos Bocas, the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the Maya Train. The chapter highlights concern with the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainable development reflected in these megaprojects, in particular, as regards their execution (cost overruns, misuse of environmental impact assessments and popular consultations) and their capacity for boosting productivity and employment, besides their environmental and social impacts. Another issue involves the need for investing in scientific and technological development enabling technological shifts in production systems. Moreover, the chapter raises doubts about the growing role of Mexico’s Armed Forces in infrastructure development to achieve Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation” under the ‘de-risking state’ development paradigm.
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Chapter 4. Peace-Centered Development: SDG16 in Focus
Abstract
This chapter examines the implementation of SDG16 which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and effective, accountable, transparent, and inclusive institutions at all levels based on the respect for human rights and rule of law. With persistently high rates of homicides and femicides, violence against human rights and environmental activists, impunity, and corruption, the prospects for creating an “enabling environment” for all the SDGs are considerably reduced. López Obrador’s strategy to create a new National Guard with extensive rights under the control of Mexico’s Armed Forces has raised concern in Mexico and beyond. The executive is challenging the principle of separation of powers through his repeated attacks on the integrity and independence of autonomous bodies, specifically the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, the National Electoral Institute, and the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data. All these events have led Mexico further astray from sustainable development, especially as regards the social dimension.
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Chapter 5. Conclusions and Future Research Avenues
Abstract
The concluding chapter of this book presents a review of the investigation. First, it contextualizes Mexico’s dilemma of development and its SDG implementation since President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office in December 2018. Then, the chapter highlights the empirical findings on the implementation of SDGs 1, 7, 9, 15, and 16, with their corresponding targets. Next, the chapter returns to the thesis on Mexico’s unsustainable and non-transformative implementation of the 2030 Agenda with López Obrador and discusses its relevance in the light of stagnant poverty reduction despite claims to achieve Mexico’s “Fourth Transformation”, the growing role of Mexico’s Armed Forces for infrastructure development, and the militarization of public security amid persistently high levels of violence and insecurity, coupled with the executive’s undermining of independent institutions. This investigation concludes that treating the Armed Forces as ‘first development partner of choice’ and opting for the new ‘development as de-risking’ paradigm is leading Mexico further astray from achieving sustainable development. Finally, the chapter presents ideas for further research on Mexico SDG implementation.
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Mexico and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
Author
Rebecka Villanueva Ulfgard
Copyright Year
2023
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-44728-0
Print ISBN
978-3-031-44727-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44728-0