An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Human Development

Textbook Project:

HDCA Textbook convened by Séverine Deneulin
Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative, Oxford Department of International Development
Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford, UK 2009
** These are draft chapters for comments only. They are not to be cited or reproduced without the permission of the authors.**
Since 1990, the United Nations Development Programme has been publishing Human Development Reports at the global, regional, national and local level. The message in these reports is simple: development is about giving people the opportunities to live lives they value, and about enabling them to become actors in their own destinies. The message is based on the 'capability approach' of economist and Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen. Today, there is little doubt that the approach has had a considerable impact on both academics and policy makers alike.

The book offers new perspectives on a wide range of topics, which include the conceptualisation and measurement of well-being and inequality; the role of markets and economic growth in promoting development; the importance of democracy and public debate; culture and religion; health; equality and justice; and the connections between social and economic policy in addressing poverty and inequality.

Case studies from across the world are used to illustrate concepts and highlight the relevance of the approach in addressing contemporary development challenges. A set of questions accompanies each chapter for seminar discussion to help readers assimilate central points and apply the approach to diverse realities.
Content:
INTRODUCTION
PART I - CONCEPTS
Chapter 1 A Normative Framework for Development [REVISED] – Sabina Alkire and Séverine Deneulin
Chapter 2 The Human Development and Capability Approach [REVISED] – Sabina Alkire and Séverine Deneulin
Chapter 3 Human Development Related Ideas [REVISED] – Séverine Deneulin
PART II - TOPICS
Chapter 4 Economic Growth [REVISED] – Randy Spence
Chapter 5 Equality and Justice – Ingrid Robeyns
Chapter 6 Measurement – Sabina Alkire and and Maria Emma Santos
Chapter 7 Institutions and Economic Development – Susan Johnson
Chapter 8 Democracy [REVISED] – Séverine Deneulin
Chapter 9 Education [REVISED] – Elaine Unterhalter
Chapter 10 Health and Nutrition – Proochista Ariana and Arif Naveed
Chapter 11 Culture and Religion – Sarah White and Séverine Deneulin
PART III - POLICY
Chapter 12 Public Policy Analysis – Randy Spence and Séverne Deneulin
Chapter 13 Policy Case Studies – edited by Séverne Deneulin
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Pedagogical Pictures – Séverine Deneulin
Appendix 1: Teaching Human Development – Melanie Walker

The final drafts are published by Earthscan and are available for sale from their website at
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/default.aspx?tabid=74778.

Séverine Deneulin is Lecturer in International Development at the University of Bath.
Lila Shahani is Editor for the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation at UNDP