A1 Journal article (refereed)
Interpreting the Sustainable Development Goals through the Perspectives of Utopia and Governance (2021)


Eskelinen, T. (2021). Interpreting the Sustainable Development Goals through the Perspectives of Utopia and Governance. Forum for Development Studies, 48(2), 179-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2020.1867889


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsEskelinen, Teppo

Journal or seriesForum for Development Studies

ISSN0803-9410

eISSN1891-1765

Publication year2021

Publication date14/01/2021

Volume48

Issue number2

Pages range179-197

PublisherRoutledge

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2020.1867889

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74036


Abstract

The article analyses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the perspective of their self-understanding of political sense expressed in key SDG documents, including both UN documents and reports produced by individual countries. Utopia and governance are presented as ideal-typical approaches and analytical tools for qualitative content analysis. This approach is argued to be particularly illuminating in the case of politics of international development, as international development is simultaneously highly utopian and deeply embedded in rationalities of governance. As this analytical framework is applied to the SDGs, it is shown that their utopian pronouncements are related to the idea of humanity as a single subject, as well as inclusive prosperity. On the other hand, the SDGs are curtailed by adherence to the ideas of contemporary governance, the international order and given ideas of development economics. The findings and the methodology are then further discussed in the broader context of international development.


Keywordssustainable developmenttarget programmesutopiasinternational organisationsdevelopment policydevelopment research

Free keywordssustainable development goals; utopia; governance; United Nations; international development; document analysis


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:19