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The Creation of the Human Development Approach

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Tadashi Hirai

    1. University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

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  • Offers unprecedented historical and institutional context to understanding the human development approach

  • Revives critical discussions around the evolution and value of the now-popular human development index (HDI)

  • Presents pointed policy suggestions for how the human development approach can overcome its current challenges

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiii
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  2. History of Development: Towards Human Development

    • Tadashi Hirai
    Pages 1-20

  3. Institutionalisation of Development Concepts

    • Tadashi Hirai
    Pages 21-40

  4. Measurement of Development: Predecessors of the Human Development Index

    • Tadashi Hirai
    Pages 41-71

  5. The Human Development Index and Its Evolution

    • Tadashi Hirai
    Pages 73-121

  6. Happiness in Human Development: Lessons from the Capability Approach

    • Tadashi Hirai
    Pages 123-140

  7. Back Matter

    Pages 141-173
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Keywords

About this book

This book examines the main reasons and challenges for the success of the human development approach both in theory and practice as an alternative to the economic growth model. Unlike the preceding research which has typically been either theoretical/prescriptive or empirical/descriptive, it follows a pragmatic historical and institutional methodology, since human development cannot be understood without considering the complexities added centrally by the formation process in the UNDP. Referring to the capability approach, it also addresses how to best reflect happiness within this paradigm.

Reviews

“This concise and well-written book by Tadashi Hirai adds to the growing body of literature on Human Development (HD) by offering an in-depth historical perspective on the emergence of the approach and an analysis of its institutional context. … Hirai’s book is thoughtfully researched, clearly written and economical with words. The monograph is highly suitable for gaining an overview of the historic and institutional context of human development and its measurement.” (Madleina Daehnhardt, Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Vol. 20 (1), 2019) “A most careful examination of the human development and capability paradigm—its origins, evolution and potential for the future, much still unrealised. Hirai’s penetrating analysis reveals details often overlooked while probing the implications for policy in the future and further work. This is an important contribution, ideal for university students and all who want a clearly written explanation but not over-simple presentation of this pioneering paradigm.” (Sir Richard Jolly, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK)

“An original and thoughtful historical exploration of why and how the human development approach has become widespread, lasting and influential; in particular how it became institutionalized within and through the UNDP and its human development indices. By combining methodological and institutional analyses, Hirai takes us much deeper in understanding the formation of global and national systems of conceptualising, measuring, evaluating and planning human progress.” (Des Gasper, International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands)

“An intellectual tour de force, revealing the key ideas, institutions, indicators and methods that characterise the Human Development Approach. This is a careful engagement between concepts and history of this paradigm through to the encouraging of reasoned debate. The result is a commendable read that addresses its implications for the reception of new concepts such as happiness, in improving our understanding of human agency and capabilities.” (Shailaja Fennell, Centre of Development Studies and Jesus College, University of Cambridge, UK)

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Tadashi Hirai

About the author

Tadashi Hirai is Project Researcher in the University of Tokyo, Japan, and a supervisor specializing in the human development approach and the human development index at the University of Cambridge, UK.

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