Unpacking the Agenda 2030 Puzzle : A Critical Discourse Analysis on SDGs 8 and 10 through the lens of the Post-Development approach

Sammanfattning: Agenda 2030 has reached its half-way mark, making it a highly relevant topic to examine. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) is applied through this research to identify the underlying norms and values of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduced inequalities). The post-development theory provides five key concepts (economic growth, developed/developing countries, modernity and change and a lack of social, environmental and cultural aspects) that serve as the lens on which we view the SDGs. The analysis brings a new perspective to the limitations and challenges within Agenda 2030, while also identifying goal conflicts within and between the goals. The discourse within SDGs 8 and 10 shows traces of these five key concepts. Terms such as economic growth, developed and developing countries, innovation, modernity and change are mentioned throughout the respective targets. Other phenomena, although promised to be addressed, are being left out, such as cultural differences and non-economic forms of inequality. Further research indicated that the two goals came with dissimilarities and similarities, both within and between them. The similarities showed, although SDGs 8 and 10 are representing two different focuses, (economic and human rights) they shared almost identical underlying notions, namely the clear focus on economic development. These findings indicate a potential pitfall within Agenda 2030 in regards to their narrow and uncoordinated choice of making two goals with different intentions share the same objective. The dissimilarities became evident when some targets within SDG 8 promoted policies that would lead to less economic growth. The same can be said for SDG 10, as some policies would also contradict SDG 8’s aim. SDG 10 also contains certain targets that wrongfully use the term equality, contradicting the aim of the goal. Other similarities include certain contradictory statements between the targets in both goals.