Globally, social progress of countries is being measured through the Global Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress being a complex phenomenon can be interpreted differently by different societies. This necessitate the need to measure social progress of African countries, capturing the reality of social progress in Africa by employing indicators that are representative of the African society and contextually relevant to the geographic region.
The study borrowed largely the standard methodology of the global Social Progress Index, and the principal result of the study is the construction of a Social Progress Index for Africa (SPI-Africa). Through the measurement of the social progress in Africa, the study addressed the issue of possibility of Western bias in measurements against Africa by comparing African countries among themselves based on African standards and not global standards.
Various insights and conclusions were drawn from the study, and the results showed that Africa is progressing socially but at a slow rate. Also, the study showed that the variability of results in global SPI is smaller than in the African SPI, suggesting that comparing African countries using the global standards of the global SPI can lead to the false conclusion that "Africa is the same" in terms of their level of social progress. However, the Africa Social Progress Index clearly demonstrates that there is a wide range of performance of African countries in social progress when measured against African standards. This led to the conclusion that there is a possibility of unfairness in the measurement of Africa's social progress by the global SPI.
Anotace v angličtině
Globally, social progress of countries is being measured through the Global Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress being a complex phenomenon can be interpreted differently by different societies. This necessitate the need to measure social progress of African countries, capturing the reality of social progress in Africa by employing indicators that are representative of the African society and contextually relevant to the geographic region.
The study borrowed largely the standard methodology of the global Social Progress Index, and the principal result of the study is the construction of a Social Progress Index for Africa (SPI-Africa). Through the measurement of the social progress in Africa, the study addressed the issue of possibility of Western bias in measurements against Africa by comparing African countries among themselves based on African standards and not global standards.
Various insights and conclusions were drawn from the study, and the results showed that Africa is progressing socially but at a slow rate. Also, the study showed that the variability of results in global SPI is smaller than in the African SPI, suggesting that comparing African countries using the global standards of the global SPI can lead to the false conclusion that "Africa is the same" in terms of their level of social progress. However, the Africa Social Progress Index clearly demonstrates that there is a wide range of performance of African countries in social progress when measured against African standards. This led to the conclusion that there is a possibility of unfairness in the measurement of Africa's social progress by the global SPI.
Klíčová slova
Social Progress, Africa, Western Bias, Composite Index
Klíčová slova v angličtině
Social Progress, Africa, Western Bias, Composite Index
Rozsah průvodní práce
93 p. (21 724 characters)
Jazyk
AN
Anotace
Globally, social progress of countries is being measured through the Global Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress being a complex phenomenon can be interpreted differently by different societies. This necessitate the need to measure social progress of African countries, capturing the reality of social progress in Africa by employing indicators that are representative of the African society and contextually relevant to the geographic region.
The study borrowed largely the standard methodology of the global Social Progress Index, and the principal result of the study is the construction of a Social Progress Index for Africa (SPI-Africa). Through the measurement of the social progress in Africa, the study addressed the issue of possibility of Western bias in measurements against Africa by comparing African countries among themselves based on African standards and not global standards.
Various insights and conclusions were drawn from the study, and the results showed that Africa is progressing socially but at a slow rate. Also, the study showed that the variability of results in global SPI is smaller than in the African SPI, suggesting that comparing African countries using the global standards of the global SPI can lead to the false conclusion that "Africa is the same" in terms of their level of social progress. However, the Africa Social Progress Index clearly demonstrates that there is a wide range of performance of African countries in social progress when measured against African standards. This led to the conclusion that there is a possibility of unfairness in the measurement of Africa's social progress by the global SPI.
Anotace v angličtině
Globally, social progress of countries is being measured through the Global Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress being a complex phenomenon can be interpreted differently by different societies. This necessitate the need to measure social progress of African countries, capturing the reality of social progress in Africa by employing indicators that are representative of the African society and contextually relevant to the geographic region.
The study borrowed largely the standard methodology of the global Social Progress Index, and the principal result of the study is the construction of a Social Progress Index for Africa (SPI-Africa). Through the measurement of the social progress in Africa, the study addressed the issue of possibility of Western bias in measurements against Africa by comparing African countries among themselves based on African standards and not global standards.
Various insights and conclusions were drawn from the study, and the results showed that Africa is progressing socially but at a slow rate. Also, the study showed that the variability of results in global SPI is smaller than in the African SPI, suggesting that comparing African countries using the global standards of the global SPI can lead to the false conclusion that "Africa is the same" in terms of their level of social progress. However, the Africa Social Progress Index clearly demonstrates that there is a wide range of performance of African countries in social progress when measured against African standards. This led to the conclusion that there is a possibility of unfairness in the measurement of Africa's social progress by the global SPI.
Klíčová slova
Social Progress, Africa, Western Bias, Composite Index
Klíčová slova v angličtině
Social Progress, Africa, Western Bias, Composite Index
Zásady pro vypracování
The social progress of African countries has been captured through the Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress, being a complex phenomenon, can be interpreted differently by different societies. As such, the study aims to recalibrate the existing framework of the Social Progress Index in terms of indicator selection and data to better meet the needs and priorities of African countries, thereby addressing the possible Western bias in the global Social Progress Index concepts, structure, and methodology. This is imperative for African countries, as there is a need to focus on the inherent social and environmental needs of their citizens, with an emphasis on outcome-based indicators that are peculiar and representative of African societies, in order to identify critical areas for policy intervention.
Zásady pro vypracování
The social progress of African countries has been captured through the Social Progress Index (SPI). However, social progress, being a complex phenomenon, can be interpreted differently by different societies. As such, the study aims to recalibrate the existing framework of the Social Progress Index in terms of indicator selection and data to better meet the needs and priorities of African countries, thereby addressing the possible Western bias in the global Social Progress Index concepts, structure, and methodology. This is imperative for African countries, as there is a need to focus on the inherent social and environmental needs of their citizens, with an emphasis on outcome-based indicators that are peculiar and representative of African societies, in order to identify critical areas for policy intervention.
Seznam doporučené literatury
African Development Bank (AfDB). (2022). Gender, poverty, and environmental indicators on African countries, 2022 (Vol. XXII). Tunis: African Development Bank. https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/20220609gender.pdf
Social Progress Imperative. (2022). 2022 Social Progress Index. https://www.socialprogress.org/
Stern, S., Harmacek, J., Krylova, P. & Htitich, M. (2022). 2022 Social Progress Index Methodology Summary. Social Progress Imperative. Washington, DC. Available at: www.socialprogress.org/global/methodology
Stiglitz, Joseph & Sen, Amartya & Fitoussi, Jean. (2009). Report of the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress (CMEPSP). https://www.economie.gouv.fr/files/finances/presse/dossiers_de_presse/090914mesure_perf_eco_progres_social/synthese_ang.pdf
Paola, Annoni & Paolo, Bolsi. (2020). The Regional Dimension of Social Progress in Europe: Presenting the New EU Social Progress Index. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/publications/working-papers/2020/the-regional-dimension-of-social-progress-in-europe-presenting-the-new-eu-social-progress-index
Seznam doporučené literatury
African Development Bank (AfDB). (2022). Gender, poverty, and environmental indicators on African countries, 2022 (Vol. XXII). Tunis: African Development Bank. https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/20220609gender.pdf
Social Progress Imperative. (2022). 2022 Social Progress Index. https://www.socialprogress.org/
Stern, S., Harmacek, J., Krylova, P. & Htitich, M. (2022). 2022 Social Progress Index Methodology Summary. Social Progress Imperative. Washington, DC. Available at: www.socialprogress.org/global/methodology
Stiglitz, Joseph & Sen, Amartya & Fitoussi, Jean. (2009). Report of the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress (CMEPSP). https://www.economie.gouv.fr/files/finances/presse/dossiers_de_presse/090914mesure_perf_eco_progres_social/synthese_ang.pdf
Paola, Annoni & Paolo, Bolsi. (2020). The Regional Dimension of Social Progress in Europe: Presenting the New EU Social Progress Index. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/publications/working-papers/2020/the-regional-dimension-of-social-progress-in-europe-presenting-the-new-eu-social-progress-index
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Záznam průběhu obhajoby
Nehemiah introduced his thesis titled “Measuring Social Progress in Africa”. He started with descriptions of important notes on African progress and Western Bias against specificity of African values. The student deconstructed the global SPI and placed it in the context of the African continent, and then compared the global SPI with the Africa SPI. He presented results of the research and after his conclusion, the discussion followed. Reviews of Nehemiah’s supervisor, prof. Harmáček, and reviewer, prof. Krylová, were read and questions were asked.