Social Sectors in Human Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 152-189
Author(s):  
K. Seeta Prabhu ◽  
Sandhya S. Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Public Goods ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Sector ◽  
Stylized Facts ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Social Sectors

This chapter critically examines the role of social sector policies in enhancing human freedoms against the backdrop of the globalization process and the SDGs that are anchored in the human development ethos. We argue that the agenda of human development policy-making is of identifying and promoting ‘public goods’ that enhance basic capabilities and thereby human well-being. Drawing from the empirical experience of countries, four stylized facts that contribute to the effectiveness of social sector policies are presented. The stylized facts emphasize the role of initial conditions, redistributive measures, and reaping the synergies of integrated policies. Select innovative measures across countries that address human development challenges are discussed with a view to identifying unique policy initiatives. The chapter highlights the need to distinguish between the pathways of policy-making that enhance comprehensive outcomes vis-a-vis those that lead only to culmination outcomes.

scholarly journals Measuring Happiness to Guide Public Policy Making: A Survey of Instruments and Policy Initiatives

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Musikanski
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Policy Making ◽  
Subjective Indicators ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Economic Paradigm ◽  
Definition Of

This author examines subjective indicators of well-being as they relate to the happiness movement, a global effort to create a new economic paradigm. The essay focuses on the prominent international institutions that are developing happiness metrics as well as agencies exploring the use of happiness data for crafting supportive public policy. A definition of happiness metrics, based on international institutions, identifies the primary questions that compose perceived happiness and how this data can be used.

Balancing Identities: How Economic Inequality and Class Affect Work-life Balance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Filippi ◽  
Caterina Suitner ◽  
Bruno Gabriel Salvador Casara ◽  
Davide Pirrone ◽  
Mara A. Yerkes
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
European Policy ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Fundamental Part

Work-Life Balance (WLB) is recognized as a fundamental part of people’s well-being and prioritized in European policy making. Until recently, little attention was given to the role of economic inequality in people's inferences of WLB. In Study 1, we experimentally tested and confirmed a) the effect of economic inequality on WLB, and b) the role of status anxiety in mediating this relationship. In Study 2, we provided a replication and advancement of Study 1 by manipulating socioeconomic class in addition to economic inequality. Results showed that in the inequality condition, people expected less WLB through a partial mediation of status anxiety and competitiveness. We also found that class mattered, with economic inequality mainly affecting participants in the low-class condition. In sum, economic inequality enhanced participants’ competitiveness and concern about their social status, which in turn affected WLB. This demonstrates the need for policies promoting WLB in those countries characterized by high inequality.

The Concept

2019 ◽  
pp. 24-73
Author(s):  
K. Seeta Prabhu ◽  
Sandhya S. Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Human Development Index ◽  
Unique Feature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Development Index ◽  
Factors Influencing

This chapter explains in detail the notions of ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. It discusses the multi-layered phenomena of capabilities in the form of as threshold, internal, external, and complex capabilities. It analyses how they provide valuable understanding about the conversion factors that are involved in the translation of resources to capabilities and capabilities into functionings. It critically evaluates the capabilities approach and emphasises the importance of the role of endowments and entitlements as factors influencing and contributing to human flourishing and well-being. The unique feature of the chapter is the presentation of an integrated analytical framework that traces the pathways to human development through equity, sustainability, empowerment, and productivity processes. In addition, the chapter discusses the Human Development Index (HDI) and the challenges relating to its computation.

Public Administration & ICT for Human Development in Turkey How to Remove Limitations

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-38
Author(s):  
M. Kemal Öktem
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Human Side ◽  
Turkish Case ◽  
Communication And Technology

This paper deals with the issue of ICT (Information Communication and Technology) for human development in Turkey and the role of public administration as a service provider, and as a macro organization. The human side of development is important at least as technological investments to balance inequalities and environmental risks. After having an overview of the Turkish case, a number of possible solutions have been argued to reach knowledge of happiness and well-being.

When opportunity lags: human development policymaking in Arctic regions

Polar Record ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Klick
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Development Discourse ◽  
Popular Narrative ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTThe popular narrative of Arctic development continues to dwell on melting sea ice, untapped oil and gas reserves, an icebreaker arms race and the perils and potential of rapid industrialisation. Rarely is the welfare of Arctic populations considered in a holistic sense and with a precise call for policy change. The recently released Arctic human development report II, echoing the more widely distributed human development reports generated by the United Nations, does just this. Unfortunately, despite the laudable efforts of the authors to embrace the more systemic drivers of poverty and marginalisation, the report fails to account for governmental and policy shortcomings which continue to limit health and opportunity, while obscuring tangible pathways to prosperity for Arctic populations. This comment is intended as a call, amongst the fervour of Arctic exploitation, to refocus attention on the unmistakable disparities in public health and well-being that persist in the Arctic regions of otherwise wealthy countries, and to incorporate globally practised perceptions of human development, including the role of social and political marginalisation in explaining health and prosperity discrepancies, which have been largely lacking in Arctic development discourse, and practice.

Measuring Human Progress

2019 ◽  
pp. 94-120
Author(s):  
K. Seeta Prabhu ◽  
Sandhya S. Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Participatory Methods ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Development Approach ◽  
Development Analysis

This chapter discusses the methodological issues pertaining to human development analysis. It critically reflects on the role of GDP as a measure of human progress and points to the shift in the discourse from unidimensional to multidimensional measures. In the light of significant efforts towards deriving alternate measures of well-being that include multiple dimensions, the issues relating to composite indices, such as indicator selection, weightage given, and numerous dimensions being combined in one index, are examined. A key perspective highlighted in the chapter is the challenge posed by ‘empty indicators’ as well as missing and unreliable data. Cautioning researchers on these issues, the chapter points to the need for better data reporting. Additionally, it argues in favour of the human development approach being extended to the process of data generation itself using participatory methods, particularly at a time when the SDG mandate extends over 230 indicators, many of which are also necessary to monitoring at the local level.

Human Flourishing and Well-Being

2019 ◽  
pp. 74-93
Author(s):  
K. Seeta Prabhu ◽  
Sandhya S. Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Collective Agency ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Personal Freedom ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

This chapter reflects on the meta questions of human flourishing, well-being, and justice, and critically looks at ideas of choices, well-being, and freedom from a human development standpoint. Freedom is the pivot around which human development revolves, where freedoms are of two kinds, personal freedom and process freedom, each of which has different public policy implications. The chapter discusses both process and opportunity freedoms and distinguishes them from other conventional notions of freedom. It also deals with the process of choice and the act of choice at the individual level and its relationship with human flourishing. Further, the role of agency is highlighted, where both individual as well as collective agency are established as important to bring about a change in the society.

scholarly journals Introduction to the special issue on institutions and culture in economic contexts

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Luca Andriani ◽  
Randolph Luca Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Institutional Aspects ◽  
Organic Framework

Abstract The need of further research on the interlink between culture and institutions has been strongly advocated by economists and institutionalists alike. However, bringing together culture and institutions within an organic framework, though, is a non-trivial operation. This is due to the complexity of the synergies between cultural aspects and institutional devices. This special issue attempts to start filling this gap and to build an ad-hoc systemic platform for disseminating such a debate. To this purpose, it brings together an organic collection of contributions in well-established conceptualisations of both culture and institutions, supported by robust and consistent methodological applications. The essays presented in this work provide consistent evidence and conceptual perspectives supporting the idea that the synergies between cultural and institutional aspects are of paramount importance to understand human behaviour, individuals' choices and societies' patterns. They also improve the theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of the role of institutions and culture in different geopolitical and socio-economic realms. By doing so, these contributions place this special issue as prelude to further research on the co-evolution of culture and institutions and on its possible implications on different societal aspects, human development and well-being.

scholarly journals Environmental policy-making networks and the future of the Amazon

2008 ◽  
Vol 363 (1498) ◽  
pp. 1897-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carmen Lemos ◽  
J. Timmons Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Policy ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Incentive Structure ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Policy Initiatives

This article examines four periods of environmental policy-making in the Amazon region of Brazil. It specifically analyses the role of pro-environment and pro-development policy networks in affecting policy design and implementation. It argues that the efforts of environmentalist networks trying to advocate or block relative developmentalist policies in the Amazon depend on three critical factors—whether they are able to attract the support of elites (or at least block their developmentalist policy initiatives); the type and level of international support they have; and the organizational and financial resources that they are able to mobilize. In analysing the four periods, this article finds that while international influences and resources have been substantial in enabling environmentalist networks to flourish and influence the policy, their effectiveness has been nearly always outweighed by Brazilian developmentalist interests. The outcome in each phase has been a different form of stalemate on environmental protection, and the deforestation continued each time, albeit at slower rates. These findings suggest that the key for significantly lower rates of deforestation on the Amazon may be in the ability of pro-environment networks to neutralize opposition by creating an incentive structure that ‘compensates’ potential losers of policies that promote conservation.

scholarly journals Sustainable development and human development. Evolution or transition in the scientific conception of sustainability?

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julián Santiago Vásquez Roldán ◽  
Robert Ng Henao
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Strong Connection ◽  
Human Welfare ◽  
The Past ◽  
Man And Nature

The integration of the various ideological views by the academic community around the great problems facing the planet has allowed the establishment of a complex system of practical and theoretical relationships between man and nature, generating a strong connection between sustainable development and human development, and conferring greater prominence to the role of human beings, according to their powers, liberties and actions for achieving and maximizing their individual and collective well-being. In this regard, this chapter aims to analyze the influence of the human context in the historical conceptualization of development and its relation with human and planetary well-being over the past 50 years. We try to prove that when it comes to development from the human perspective or from the perspective of sustainability, it tends towards the same discourse that enables convergence and evolution of the concept of development into a much less utopian trend, with greater scope and application under the scientific paradigm of sustainability in terms of human welfare.

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