The Human Development Approach Francesco Burchi Francesco.burchi@die-gdi.de Master HDFS - Burchi 1
Table of Contents Recent evolution of development thinking Capabilities/Human Development Approach Means and Ends of Human Development UNDP Human Development Reports Master HDFS - Burchi 2
History of development thinking Growth-only approaches Economic Development UNRISD Social Indicators Scandinavian School of the Quality of Life Basic Needs Approach Capability Approach Human Development Approach Happiness 3 Master HDFS - Burchi 3 3
“First generation of Development Theories ” Development = capacity of an economy to achieve a sustained growth process (Todaro and Smith 2003, 15). Development (2) = capacity of a nation to reach per-capita GDP growth rates above population growth rates “Growth - only” Approach for poor and rich countries Master HDFS - Burchi 4 4
Economic Development A country with high growth rates but rising poverty and inequality is “developing”? Specific problems of LDCs Economic Development involves, along with GDP, other dimensions such as the quality of growth, a process of institutional change, and the improvement of life expectancy, education, and other goals which go beyond GDP (e.g., Brinkman, 1995; Seers) Great emphasis on reduction in levels of poverty and inequality, together with the pursuit of social goals, such as improved health and education, which should increase accordingly during the process of economic growth. Master HDFS - Burchi 5
Economic Development (2) Growth with redistribution Growth with employment Pro-poor Growth (World Bank) “High - quality growth” (IMF) Master HDFS - Burchi 6
UNRISD 1960s: Social Indicators for Development E.g. “The Level of Living Index” measures “the level of satisfaction of the needs of the population as measured by the flow of goods and services enjoyed in a unit of time” It considers “physical” (nutrition, shelter, health) and “cultural” needs (education, leisure, security) Problems: an incredible amount of variables, lack of theoretical foundation, lack of data for cross- country comparison. Master HDFS - Burchi 7 7
Physical Quality of Life Index Proposed by M.D. Morris (Overseas Development Council) Measures the fulfillment of minimum human needs It aggregates literacy, infant mortality and life expectancy, with equal weights Shortcomings: it lacks an adequate theoretical foundation, the weighting system is not justified and, more relevant, 2 dimensions – infant mortality and life expectancy – provide similar information. Master HDFS - Burchi 8 8
Basic Needs Approach In the 1970s ILO proposes a new approach in order to shift attention towards other dimensions such as unemployment and underemployment. Development is conceived as satisfaction of at least basic needs such as drinkable water, medical care, education and a decently remunerated job. Master HDFS - Burchi 9 9
Basic Needs Approach (2) Half 1980s: two development economists, Frances Stewart and Paul P. Streeten, re-launched the BNA. Poverty reduction policies aim at enhancing “full life” Innovative elements: income is not a good thermometer of life conditions. We should be looking at essential factors such as access to water, food and education. Master HDFS - Burchi 10 10
Capability/Human Development Approach The Capability Approach was proposed in the 1980s and it is the theoretical foundation of the Human Development Approach Development is conceived as a process of enlargement of human choices (Ul Haq, UNDP Report 1990) In Sen’s terminology, Development= capability expansion (Sen, 1983), or, at a later stage, enlargement of human freedoms (Sen, 1999). It is an “approach”, not a “theory” Master HDFS - Burchi 11
Capability Approach Functionings: the set of things a person “is” and “does”. E.g., being healthy, being well educated, being adequately nourished, having a decent job,... But also being able to participate in community and public life, being able to move around without feeling ashamed,.. Functionings are constitutive elements of people’s life. Master HDFS - Burchi 12
Capability Approach (2) Capabilities: the set of things a person “can be” and “can do”; alternatively, the set of all potential functionings , among which she chooses the final functionings (achieved functionings). Ex: fasting vs. not having enough resources Master HDFS - Burchi 13
The ends of development The final goal is not to enlarge income, and not even commodities production, but the extension of (basic) capabilities What counts at the end is not income or goods, but what an individual has reason to value. Thus, we should see how income is converted in valuable capabilities. Master HDFS - Burchi 14
Standard consumer theory Consumers are agents maximizing utility Economists measure utility through 1 focal variable: income. The utility obtained by the purchase of 1 good is given by its market value/price: thus, all people achieve the same utility from 1 given commodity (same utility function). 15 Master HDFS - Burchi 15 15
Utility and Wellbeing Do people achieve the same wellbeing level from a given amount of income or commodities? 16 Master HDFS - Burchi 16 16
Functionings vs. Income (1) Ex. 1: 3 individuals: All have the same income 2 have perfect health conditions 1 has a parasitic disease Do they finally have the same functionings: “being adequately nourished” and “being in a good health status”? 17 Master HDFS - Burchi 17 17
Functionings vs. Income (2) Ex. 2: 3 individuals: All have the same income 2 live in areas where all types of food are available in local markets 1 live in an area where more nutritious foods are not available Is the level of income leading to the same nutritional status for the 3 individuals? 18 Master HDFS - Burchi 18 18
Functionings vs. Income (3) Ex. 3: 3 individuals: All have the same income 2 live in areas with bland climate 1 live in an area where it is very cold Do these people have the same functioning “to be sheltered”? 19 Master HDFS - Burchi 19 19
Functionings vs. Income (4) Ex. 4: 3 women: All have the same income 2 live in areas where they are free to move around alone, and they have all human freedoms 1 live in an area where she can’t leave the house and go to the market without a man Do these women have the same functionings? (e.g., nutrition, health, possibility to move around, to have social relations, to participate in public life,…). 20 Master HDFS - Burchi 20 20
Functionings vs. Commodities (1) Ex. 1: 3 individuals: Have the same bicycle 2 don’t have health problems 1 doesn’t have a leg Are the benefits of owning a bike the same for the 3 people? (in terms of the possibility to move freely and faster surely no….) 21 Master HDFS - Burchi 21 21
Functionings vs. Commodities (2) Ex. 2: 3 individuals: Have the same amount of food 2 don’t have health problems 1 has a disease that doesn’t allow her/him to absorb properly the food eaten Are the benefits of having a given amount of food with specific characteristics (calories) the same for the 3 people? (in terms of being adequately nourished surely no…..if we consider food as a commodity helping to get-together in front of meals, socialize, or to meet the demand of social conventions maybe yes). 22 Master HDFS - Burchi 22 22
The role of “Conversion Factors” The relationship income-functionings is not univocal “Personal” (sex, age, metabolism, health,..), “Social” (customs,..), “Environmental” (weather conditions, natural disasters), and “Institutional” (rules, norms, law) conversion factors affect: A) The conversion of income into functionings and capabilities (thus, wellbeing) B) The conversion of commodities into functionings and capabilities (thus, wellbeing) 23 Master HDFS - Burchi 23 23
Source: Robeyns (2005, p. 98) 24 Master HDFS - Burchi 24 24
CA vs. HDA The CA provides the theoretical foundations of the HDA The CA concerns wellbeing, development, poverty, inequality; the HDA is an approach to development The CA is “micro” (individuals, households), while the HDA is “macro” (countries, regions) The HDA is more operational, more concerned with policies to achieve human development 25 Master HDFS - Burchi 25 25
The Institutional View: UNDP Human Development Approach “The basic objective of development is to create an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy, and creative lives” (UNDP 1990, p. 9) Focus on human beings People-centered approach This is the result of new development theories and quality of life literature, but was also strongly embedded in classical economists (Smith, Ricardo, Marx…). Master HDFS - Burchi 26
Ends and Means of Human Development Economic growth is only a means to promote development (or an “ intermediate objective ” Sen, 1983). We need to “rediscover” the “real purpose” of economic growth (Ul Haq, 1995) Master HDFS - Burchi 27
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