LU9 Human Development Approach Part 1

Summary

This lecture explores the human development approach, emphasizing the expansion of people’s choices and freedoms to live lives they value. It contrasts economic growth models focused on GDP with a people-centered perspective, where quality of life and human well-being take precedence. Key concepts include health, knowledge, and access to resources as fundamental pillars for development. The Human Development Index (HDI) is introduced as a more holistic measure of progress, integrating life expectancy, education, and income to assess the true well-being of populations. The lecture highlights the work of key scholars like Mabuk Alhak and Amartya Sen in shaping these ideas.

Takeaways

• 😀 Human development is a process of enlarging people's choices to live lives they value, as defined in the 1990 Human Development Report.
• 😀 The focus of human development is on improving people's lives, rather than merely increasing a country's GDP or economic wealth.
• 😀 The broader definition of human development, introduced in 2010, emphasizes the freedom to live long, healthy, and creative lives, while advancing other goals and engaging in sustainable development.
• 😀 Human development is centered on people, not just economic growth, and focuses on their opportunities and choices.
• 😀 Income is a means to development, not an end, and should be used to improve living standards, such as education, health, and quality of life.
• 😀 Human development aims to give people the freedom to live the lives they choose, by providing them with the opportunity to develop their abilities and skills.
• 😀 The foundation of human development includes living a long, healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having access to resources for a decent standard of living.
• 😀 Freedom of choice is a central aspect of human development, allowing individuals to make decisions that align with their values and needs.
• 😀 The human development index (HDI) introduced in 1990 is a more holistic measure of development, focusing on life expectancy, education, and income per capita, rather than just GDP.
• 😀 Notable figures like Mabub ul Haq and Amartya Sen played key roles in shaping the human development approach, with Sen's work on capabilities and freedom influencing its evolution.

Q & A

What is the standard definition of human development as mentioned in the 1990 Human Development Report?

The standard definition of human development, as introduced in the 1990 Human Development Report, refers to a process of enlarging people's choices to live lives they have reason to value. It emphasizes a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and enjoying a decent standard of living.

How did the 2010 Human Development Report expand the definition of human development?

The 2010 Human Development Report expanded the definition by focusing on the expansion of people's freedom to live long, healthy, and creative lives. It also emphasized advancing goals that people value and engaging actively in shaping development equitably and sustainably on a shared planet.

How does the human development approach differ from traditional economic growth models?

The human development approach focuses on improving people's lives rather than solely emphasizing economic growth. While traditional models focus on GDP and national income, the human development approach prioritizes opportunities, choices, and individual well-being over mere economic growth.

Why is income considered a means to development rather than an end in itself in the human development approach?

Income is viewed as a means to development because it enables people to achieve better living standards, access education, and improve their quality of life. It is not an end itself, as the focus is on what people can do with their income to enhance their well-being.

What are the three key foundations of human development?

The three key foundations of human development are: 1) Living a long, healthy, and creative life, 2) Being knowledgeable, and 3) Having access to resources necessary for maintaining a decent standard of living.

Why is freedom of choice central to the human development approach?

Freedom of choice is central to the human development approach because it allows individuals to make decisions that align with their values and preferences. The approach recognizes that while opportunities should be provided, people have the right to choose how they want to live their lives.

How does human development relate to the concept of capability, as explained by Mabuk Alhak and Amartya Sen?

Mabuk Alhak and Amartya Sen's work on human development emphasizes the concept of capability. It highlights the importance of people's ability to 'be' and 'do' desired things in life. This includes having access to essential services like healthcare and education, as well as opportunities to participate in meaningful activities like work and voting.

What is the main critique of GDP as a measure of development?

The main critique of GDP as a measure of development is that it fails to account for the well-being of individuals. A higher GDP does not necessarily mean that the people in a country are better off. Human development focuses on factors like life expectancy, education, and access to resources, which provide a clearer picture of people's quality of life.

How did the development debates of the 1970s and 1980s contribute to the human development approach?

The development debates of the 1970s and 1980s led to a shift away from GDP as the sole measure of development. There was increased emphasis on employment, the redistribution of wealth, and ensuring that people's basic needs were met. These debates helped pave the way for the human development approach.

What are the key components of the Human Development Index (HDI), and how is it different from GDP?

The key components of the Human Development Index (HDI) are life expectancy (proxy for a long and healthy life), education (proxy for being knowledgeable), and income per capita (proxy for access to resources and decent standard of living). Unlike GDP, which focuses solely on economic output, HDI measures a broader set of human achievements, including health, education, and quality of life.