Chapter 1 | Page 32 individually or through international co-operation mechanisms) to address these basic human needs. Added to this, the current uncertainties stemming from global economic instability have strained the ability of many governments to effectively manage human rights responsibilities. Consequently, the policy actions of expenditure consolidation and austerity measures in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 global financial and economic crises have significantly reduced the capacity of governments for resource mobilisation and allocation for ESC rights.87 Against the background of recent developments in ESC rights implementation and of global economic and social dynamics, this research is premised on recognition that the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights is essential for protecting and promoting individuals’ dignity and self-worth. Hence, it aims to identify challenges to the realisation of ESC rights in a world of abundance and to bring these rights to the forefront of State policy through analysis of the economic and policy dynamics of ‘maximum available resources’, with particular reference to ESC rights activism and advocacy. The significance of each of these elements is elaborated below. 1.5.1 Identifying challenges to ESC rights realisation in a world of abundance Despite the upsurge in global wealth and affluence in recent decades,88 alarming rates of poverty and inequality persist among much of humanity, with 87 For example, Adam McBeth, 'What do human rights require of the global economy? Beyond a narrow legal view' in Cindy Holder and David Reidy (eds), Human Rights: The Hard Questions (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2013) 8; Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on austerity measures and economic and social rights (OHCHR, Geneva), <http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Development/RightsCrisis/E-2013-82_en.pdf>; Andreas Fischer-Lescano, Human Rights in Times of Austerity Policy: The EU institutions and the conclusion of Memoranda of Understanding (Centre of European Law and Politics, University of Bremen: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft Baden, Baden, 2014), <http://www.etuc.org/sites/www.etuc.org/files/press-release/files/legal_opinion_ human_rights_in_times_of_austerity_policy_final.pdf>. 88 See for example, Capgemini, The Wealth Reports Capgemini <https://www.worldwealthreport.com/>; Knight Frank, The Wealth Report 2015 (Knight Frank, 2015), <http://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport>.