Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable development. (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 3)
Inter-generational (between the present and future people) and intra-generational (between the rich and the poor of the present generation) equity are two hands of the doctrine of sustainable equity.
Inter-generational equity and issues
- Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed”. One of the primary objectives of inter-generational equity is the sustainable use of resources by one generation to enhance economic sustainability for the future generation.
- Inter-generational equity has become crucial in the present times, due to the growing imbalance in the distribution of resources, ongoing degradation of environment and overexploitation of resources.
- This imbalance is more profound between the developed and developing nations or between the Global North and the Global South. Moreover, the developed countries are today unwilling to help developing countries adapt and mitigate climate change impacts.
Intra-generational equity and issues
- Progress of a society should be determined by the state of the most vulnerable and the weakest ones: Mahatma Gandhi
- The concept of intra-generational equity provides rights and duties to every person of a single generation to use and take care of the resources justifiably so that benefits are reaped by every section of society.
- In order to promote intra-generational equity, the concept of social justice is propagated. Welfare schemes like subsidies, reservations, etc. are provided by the governments to help the vulnerable section of society but these are often marred in corruption and inefficient implementation.
- The doctrine of free market demands rollback of state and projects the market as the solution of every problem. However, the pro-market reforms of 1991 have failed to have the trickle-down effect.
The concept of inclusive growth and sustainable development are the key pillars of the global welfare narrative, which can be prompted by ensuring intra-generational and inter-generational equity.
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