As much as it might shock the Republicans calling for the United States to withdraw from UN commitments, much of Trump’s populist rhetoric is in fact mirrored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—though not in the way you might think. As the history of human rights activists outside of the US shows, relying on international commitments as a means to lobby politicians and persuade the public is a smart strategy. Goal 16 in particular is about promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies, making it a natural rhetorical launching pad for critiques of the current administration. Goal 16’s focus on inverting populist ideas and its focus on measured outcomes offers a valuable tool for activists determined to push back against an administration focused on unraveling a liberal international order.
Inclusion is a key theme, as is political reform to create a more effective government.
This specific goal matters because it appropriates rhetoric now thought of as populist. Inclusion is a key theme, as is political reform to create a more effective government. Both of these are elements in the Trump campaign. His references to “returning power to the people,” “draining the swamp,” and empowering “the forgotten people” are echoed in the targets of Goal 16, albeit from a very different partisan standpoint. Four of the targets in Goal 16 have clear parallels to Trump’s rhetoric: Target 16.3 is about promoting rule of law and equal access to justice; Target 16.5 aims to reduce corruption and bribery; Target 16.6 is about developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, and Target 16.7 aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making. Each of these targets reflect the rhetoric of the new White House, and this is precisely why they are valuable for activists. They are a means to demonstrate that this presidency is not keeping its promises. US shortcomings in achieving these goals become failings of this president, and calling attention to these shortcomings can only help to turn the tide of public opinion against him.
