Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

History of Development: Towards Human Development

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Creation of the Human Development Approach

Abstract

This chapter overviews the conceptual shift in development after the Second World War to delve into the historical background of human development. Although human development officially began in 1990 with a direct contribution by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, the idea has evolved over time and been greatly influenced by preceding events (e.g. Bandung Conference, North-South Roundtable) and figures (e.g. U Thant, Robert McNamara). With a particular focus on its comparison with basic needs, an alternative approach to the orthodoxy prior to human development, it finds that both approaches have much more in common than often believed, not only in practice but also in concept. To this extent, the success of human development cannot be attributed solely to its conceptual ground.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alkire, S. (2002). Valuing freedoms: Sen’s capability approach and poverty reduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Anand, S., & Ravallion, M. (1993). Human development in poor countries: On the role of private incomes and public services. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 7(1), 133–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Committee for Development Planning (CDP). (1988). Human resources development: A neglected dimension of development strategy. Views and recommendations of the Committee for Development Planning. New York: United Nations Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • CDP. (1989). Elements of an international development strategy for the 1990s. Views and recommendations of the Committee for Development Planning. New York: United Nations Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, D. A. (1992). Functioning and capability: The foundations of Sen’s and Nussbaum’s development ethic. Political Theory, 20(4), 584–612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, D. A. (2008). Ethics of global development: Agency, capability, and deliberative democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Doyal, L., & Gough, I. (1991). A theory of human need. Basingstoke: Macmillan Education.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Emmerij, L., Jolly, R., & Weiss, T. G. (2001). Ahead of the curve?: UN ideas and global challenges. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esman, M. J. & Montgomery, J. D. (1980). The administration of human development. World Bank Staff Working Paper 403: Implementing programs of human development (A background paper for World Development Report 1980), 183–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasper, D. (2004). The ethics of development: From economism to human development. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasper, D. (2006). What is the point of development ethics? Éthique et économique/Ethics and Economics, 4(2), 1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasper, D. (2008a). Denis Goulet and the project of development ethics: Choices in methodology, focus and organization. Journal of Human Development, 9, 453–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goulet, D. (1971a). An ethical model for the study of values. Harvard Educational Review, 41(2), 205–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goulet, D. (1971b). The cruel choice: A new concept in the theory of development. New York: Atheneum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, J. P. (1977). Foreword. In ILO, Employment, growth and basic needs: A one-world problem: The international ‘basic needs strategy’ against chronic poverty prepared by the ILO International Labour Office, and the decisions of the 1976 World Employment Conference (pp. v–xi). New York: Praeger for the Overseas Development Council in cooperation with the International Labour Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, J. P. (1981). A new way of measuring progress in living standards. World Health Forum, 2(3), 373–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, K., & Knight, J. (1989). Introduction. In K. Griffin & J. Knight (Eds.), Human development and the international development strategy for the 1990s (pp. 1–7). Basingstoke: Macmillan in association with the United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, K., & Knight, J. (1989). Human development: The case for renewed emphasis. In K. Griffin & J. Knight (Eds.), Human development and the international development strategy for the 1990s (pp. 9–40). Basingstoke: Macmillan in association with the United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Jolly, R. (2008). Global development, poverty alleviation, and north-south relations. In K. Haq & R. Ponzio (Eds.), Pioneering the human development revolution: An intellectual biography of Mahbub ul Haq (pp. 63–87). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Kirdar, Ü. (Eds.). (1986). Human development: The neglected dimension. Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Kirdar, Ü. (Eds.). (1987). Human development, adjustment and growth. Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Kirdar, Ü. (Eds.). (1988). Managing human development. Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Kirdar, Ü. (Eds.). (1989). Development for people: Goals and strategies for the year 2000. Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, K., & Massad, C. (1984). Appendix: Santiago Statement. In K. Haq & C. Massad (Eds.), Adjustment with growth: A search for an equitable solution (pp. 325–329). Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, M. U. (1989a). Human dimension in development. Journal of Development Planning, 19, 249–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, M. U. (1994). The new deal. New Internationalist, 262, 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, N., & Streeten, P. (1979). Indicators of development: The search for a basic needs yardstick. World Development, 7, 567–580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howe, J. W. (1974). The U.S. and the developing world: Agenda for action 1974. New York: Published for the Overseas Development Council [by] Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Office (ILO). (1977). Employment, growth and basic needs: A one world problem: The international ‘basic needs strategy’ against chronic poverty prepared by the ILO International Labour Office, and the decisions of the 1976 World Employment Conference. New York: Praeger for the Overseas Development Council in cooperation with the International Labour Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, R. (1989b). A future for UN aid and technical assistance? Development, 89(4), 21–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, R. (2000). False attack: Misrepresenting the human development report and misunderstanding the need for rethinking global governance. World Economics, 1(3), 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, R., Emmerij, L., Ghai, D., & Lapeyre, F. (2004). UN contributions to development thinking and practice. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, R., Emmerij, L., & Weiss, T. G. (2009). UN ideas that changes the world. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahin, G. M. (1956). The Asia-African Conference, Bandung, Indonesia, April 1955. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirdar, Ü. (1986). International institutions and human development: A critique. In K. Haq & Ü. Kirdar (Eds.), Human development: The neglected dimension (pp. 421–436). Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirdar, Ü. (1989). A review of past strategies. In K. Haq & Ü. Kirdar (Eds.), Development for people: Goals and strategies for the year 2000 (pp. 181–200). Islamabad: North South Roundtable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liser, F. B. (1977). Statistical annexes. In J. W. Sewell (Ed.), The United States and world development: Agenda 1977 (pp. 143–246). New York: Praeger for the Overseas Development Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Max-Neef, M. (1992). Development and human needs. In P. Ekins & M. Max-Neef (Eds.), Real-life economics: Understanding wealth creation (pp. 197–214). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, M. M. (1979). The United States and world development: Agenda 1979. New York: Praeger for the Overseas Development Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNamara, R. S. (1981). The McNamara Years at the World Bank: Major policy addresses of Robert S. McNamara 1968–1981. Baltimore: Published for the World Bank [by] the Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meerman, J. 1980. Paying for human development. World Bank Staff Working Paper 403: Implementing programs of human development (A background paper for World Development Report 1980): 109-182.

    Google Scholar 

  • North South Roundtable (NSRT) & UNDP. (1983, August 29–September 1). Statement from Istanbul: A report on the Istanbul Roundtable on world monetary, financial and human resource development issues. Istanbul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nussbaum, M. C. (2000). Women and human development: The capabilities approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Nyerere, J. K. (1967). Freedom and unity. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyerere, J. K. (1973). Freedom and development. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponzio, R. (2008). The advent of the Human Development Report. In K. Haq & R. Ponzio (Eds.), Pioneering the human development revolution: An intellectual biography of Mahbub ul Haq (pp. 88–111). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rist, G. (1997). The history of development: From western origins to global faith. London: Zed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M., Colletta, N. J. & Mbindyo, J. (1980). Social and cultural influences on human development. World Bank Staff Working Paper 403: Implementing programs of human development (A background paper for World Development Report 1980): 235–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rostow, W. W. (1960). The stages of economic growth: A non-communist manifesto. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1983). Development: Which way now? The Economic Journal, 93(372), 745–762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1984). Resources, values and development. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1989). Development as capabilities expansion. Journal of Development Planning, 19, 41–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1997). Development thinking at the beginning of the XXI century. In L. Emmerij (Ed.), Economic and social development into the XXI century (pp. 531–551). Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (2009). The idea of justice. London: Allen Lane.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sewell, J. W. (1977). The United States and world development: Agenda 1977. New York: Praeger for the Overseas Development Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. (1979). The “basic needs” approach to development vs the New International Economic Order: The significance of third world industrialization. World Development, 7, 585–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, F. (1985). Planning to meet basic needs. London: Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, F. (2006). Basic needs approach. In D. Clark (Ed.), The Elgar companion to development studies (pp. 14–18). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, F., & Deneulin, S. (2002). Amartya Sen’s contribution to development thinking. Studies in Comparative international Development, 37(2), 61–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P. 1977. The distinctive features of a basic needs approach to development. International Development Review (1977), reprinted in Development, 40: 49–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P. (1984). Basic needs: Some unsettled questions. World Development, 12(9), 973–978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P. (1994). Human development: Means and ends. The American Economic Review, 84(2), 232–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P. (1995a). Foreword. In M. U. Haq (Ed.), Reflections on human development: How the focus of development economics shifted from national income accounting to people-centred policies told by one of the chief architects of the new paradigm (pp. ix–xvi). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P. (1995b). Human development: The debate about the index. International Social Science Journal, 47(143), 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeten, P., Burki, S. J., Haq, M. U., Hicks, N., & Stewart, F. (1981). First things first: Meeting basic human needs in the developing countries. New York: Published for the World Bank [by] Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinbergen, J., Dolman, A. J., & Ettinger, J. V. (1977). Reshaping the international order: A report to the Club of Rome. London: Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. (1970). Yearbook of the United Nations 1970, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. (1976). Yearbook of the United Nations 1976, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (1990–2015). Human Development Report, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (1990). Human Development Report, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP & NSRT. (1985, September1–4). Istanbul Statement on development: The human dimension. Istanbul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uphoff, N. (1980). Political considerations in human development. World Bank Staff Working Paper 403: Implementing programs of human development (A background paper for World Development Report 1980): 1–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • U Thant. (1962). Foreword to the United Nations Development Decade: Proposals for action. In A. W. Cordier & M. Harrelson (Eds.), Public papers of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations [volume VI] U Thant 1961–1964 (pp. 140–145). New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (1980). World Development Report 1980. DC: Washington.

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Tadashi Hirai

Authors
  1. Tadashi Hirai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hirai, T. (2017). History of Development: Towards Human Development. In: The Creation of the Human Development Approach. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51568-7_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation