Human Development: Definitions, Critiques, and Related Concepts
Sabina Alkire, Director of the
Oxford Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House,
United Nations Development Programme
Human Development Reports - Research Paper - June 2010
Available online PDF [100p.] at: http://bit.ly/d0Wlz4
The purpose of this background paper is:
i) to synthesize the discussions regarding the concept of human development, so as to inform the 2010 Report’s definition, and
ii) drawing on the extensive policy and academic literatures, to propose relationships between the concept of human development and four related concepts:
- the Millennium Development Goals,
- Human Rights,
- Human Security, and
- Happiness. Inequality, the duration of outcomes across time, and environmental sustainability are also prominent due to their fundamental importance
The paper is structured as follows. First, we consider the definition of human development that was put forward in the reports from 1990 until 2009. From these reports we observe how human development has been defined, what dimensions it has comprised, and how inequality, time and environmental sustainability have been reflected in this tradition. Building on that basis, together with the accumulated literature on the capability approach and human development from international institutions and academic and policy groups, we propose a ‘capsule’ sentence defining human development, and a succinct exposition of the core concepts.
Human Development is complemented by a number of conceptual frameworks that share similar underlying motivations, but have different emphases, and add value in different ways. Part II of this paper relates human development to other key concepts, showing the synergies between them and also articulating the distinctive contribution of the human development framework.
Comparisons are made with:
– The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
– Human Rights
– Human Security
– Happiness
A post-script to this paper traces the evolution of the World Bank’s concept of poverty from 1946 to the year 2000.
* * *
This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues. [DD/ KMC Area]
“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO Website
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho
IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended
recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or
confidential information. If you are not the intended
recipient or a person responsible for delivering this
transmission to the intended recipient, you may not
disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take
any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission
in error, please dispose of and delete this transmission.
Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment