LU92 Human Development Approach Part 2

Summary

This lecture delves into the Human Development Approach (HDA), emphasizing key factors like health, education, and standard of living. It explains the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures life expectancy, literacy rates, and income to assess the well-being of nations. The approach focuses on expanding human capabilities, removing obstacles to success, and ensuring access to rights such as education, healthcare, and political freedoms. By comparing HDA with other models like economic growth, the lecture highlights the importance of human rights and equity in development, aiming for sustainable, inclusive progress for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 HDI (Human Development Index) is based on three factors: health (life expectancy), education (literacy and enrollment), and standard of living (GNI per capita adjusted for PPP).
• 😀 Life expectancy varies significantly between countries, with Japan having a high life expectancy compared to countries like Afghanistan, which has nearly half the average lifespan.
• 😀 Education is measured by literacy rates and access to various levels of schooling. Countries like Canada have high education indices, while others, like Niger, have low literacy rates and limited access to education.
• 😀 Standard of living is evaluated using GNI per capita, with countries like Luxembourg at the top and nations like Congo at the bottom, highlighting stark economic disparities.
• 😀 Poverty often leads to the denial of civil, political, and economic rights, contributing to a cycle of inequality and growing income disparity.
• 😀 Education plays a crucial role in human development, as it determines a country's future prospects by preparing children for complex tasks and societal progress.
• 😀 The Human Development approach emphasizes expanding human capabilities, removing obstacles like illiteracy and ill health, and allowing individuals to live fuller lives.
• 😀 Amartya Sen’s framework includes two central aspects: the evaluative aspect (measuring improvements in human lives) and the agency aspect (empowering individuals to achieve improvements).
• 😀 The human development approach is concerned with human well-being and equity, prioritizing the improvement of people's capabilities rather than solely focusing on economic growth.
• 😀 Collective action, such as social movements, plays a vital role in advocating for policy changes and human rights, as demonstrated in movements against racism and for gender equality.
• 😀 The HDI approach has been criticized for being too simplistic, as it doesn't fully capture the complexity of human development, especially issues like freedom, dignity, and the ability to make life choices.

Q & A

What are the three main factors used to measure human development in the Human Development Index (HDI)?

The three main factors used to measure human development in the HDI are health (measured by life expectancy at birth), education (measured by literacy rates and enrollment ratios), and standard of living (measured by Gross National Income per capita and purchasing power parity).

How is health measured in the Human Development Index?

Health is measured by life expectancy at birth, which is a simple and universally available indicator. It varies between countries, with examples like Japan having a high life expectancy compared to Afghanistan.

How does education factor into the Human Development Index?

Education is measured through literacy rates and enrollment ratios. This includes how many people are literate and how many people have access to primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Countries like Canada have high education levels, while countries like Niger have lower levels of literacy and school enrollment.

What does standard of living measure in the Human Development Index?

The standard of living is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). This takes into account income levels and the cost of goods in different countries. For example, Luxembourg has one of the highest GNI per capita, while Congo has one of the lowest.

How are human rights related to human development?

Human rights are closely related to human development because poverty often leads to a denial of rights, including civil, political, economic, and cultural rights. Discrimination against the poor can exacerbate this problem, hindering their ability to access basic rights and services.

What is the significance of education in human development?

Education is a key factor in human development as it determines a country's future progress. Without good education, children are less likely to contribute to the development of their country. It also affects a person’s ability to perform complex tasks, limiting economic opportunities.

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

The human development approach focuses on expanding human capabilities, not just economic growth. It emphasizes improving people's lives by enhancing their ability to be healthy, educated, and participate in community life, with economic growth being a means to achieve these ends.

What are the two central aspects of the human development approach according to Sen's theory?

The two central aspects are the evaluative aspect, which evaluates improvements in human lives and their achievements, and the agency aspect, which concerns what individuals can do to achieve improvements, especially through policies and political changes.

What role do individuals and collective actions play in human development?

Individuals act as agents of change through personal actions like child upbringing, while collective action, such as social movements, can pressure governments for policy changes. Both are crucial for advancing human development.

How does the human development approach address sustainability?

Human development promotes sustainability by ensuring that choices and opportunities available to people today do not come at the expense of future generations. This process is about expanding people’s choices both for the present and the future.