Human Development Theory

COAD, Complexity, and a Movement toward Coalescence of Blurred Boundaries

by Timothy Wachtel

InformeDesarrolloHumanoElSalvador2010

by Bernardo Mendez Lugo

Global Ethics: Capabilities Approach

by Chad Kleist

Malthusian assumptions, Boserupian response in models of the transitions to agriculture

by Carsten Lemmen

In: "Society, Nature and History: The Legacy of Ester Boserup", Springer, Vienna (in press)

In the many transitions from foraging to agropastoralism it is debated whether the primary drivers are innovations in... more In the many transitions from foraging to agropastoralism it is debated whether the primary drivers are innovations in technology or increases of population. The driver discussion traditionally separates Malthusian (technology driven) from Boserupian (population driven) theories. I present a numerical model of the transitions to agriculture and discuss this model in the light of the population versus technology debate and in Boserup's analytical framework in development theory. Although my model is based on ecological –Neomalthusian– principles, the coevolutionary positive feedback relationship between technology and population results in a seemingly Boserupian response: innovation is greatest when population pressure is highest. This outcome is not only visible in the theory-driven reduced model, but is also present in a corresponding “real world” simulator which was tested against archaeological data, demonstrating the relevance and validity of the coevolutionary model. The lesson to be learned is that not all that acts Boserupian needs Boserup at its core.

Chasing the fox of word learning: Why "constraints" fail to capture it

by Gedeon Deák

Deák, G.O. (2000). Chasing the fox of word learning: Why “constraints” fail to capture it. Developmental Review, 20, 29-80.

It is often asserted that young children's word learning is guided by constraints or internal biases. Constraints are... more It is often asserted that young children's word learning is guided by constraints or internal biases. Constraints are broadly described as “any factor that favors some possibilities over others” (Medin et al., 1990). Researchers have argued that specialized lexical constraints cause children to make some inferences about word meanings before others. An analysis shows that the concept constraint is not informative because it does not differentiate a circumscribed set of word learning behaviors. Defining constraints as innate and domain-specific does not remedy this problem. We cannot separate the effects of so-called constraints or biases from a wide range of cognitive and contextual influences on children's inferences about novel word meanings. This conclusion is supported by a selective review of these influences. The summary highlights our need for an explanatory framework that is sufficiently rich to capture the flexibility and diversity of children's word learning. The core of such a framework is summarized as a set of general characteristics of human word learning. These characteristics must serve as a starting point for any viable theory of word learning. Prescriptions for future development of a viable framework are suggested.

New trends in cognitive science: Integrative approaches to learning and development

by Gedeon Deák

A new trend in Cognitive Science is the use of artificial agents and systems to investigate learning and development... more A new trend in Cognitive Science is the use of artificial agents and systems to investigate learning and development of complex organisms in natural environments. This work, in contrast with traditional AI work, takes into account principles of neural development, problems of embodiment, and complexities of the environment. Current and future promises and challenges for this approach are defined and outlined.

Reflecting local priorities though multidimentional indicators of development

by Gareth Wall

draft summary only (800 words plus appendices and ref)
- thoughts, suggestion and comments very welcome to wallgareth@gmail.com

The central hypothesis of this proposal is that at a local level there is a significant mismatch between the snapshot... more The central hypothesis of this proposal is that at a local level there is a significant mismatch between the snapshot that is produced of a community through conventional multidimensional measurements of development as used in the Human Development Reports and the expressed perceptions of, and priorities for, development by the citizens of these local communities. I will analyse multiple levels of human development reports have been produced at various administrative levels including the state, district and panchayat (village) administrative and to investigate what local-level issues start to be brought in to the reports as the reference population becomes more localised.

REGIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN TRANSITION ECONOMICS: THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS

by Pasquale Tridico

Institutions, Famine and Inequality

by Pasquale Tridico

With F. Burchi

The determinants of economic growth in emerging economies: a comparative analysis

by Pasquale Tridico

Institutional Change and Human Development In Transition Economies

by Pasquale Tridico

Institutional Change and Economic Performance In Transition Economics: the Case of Poland

by Pasquale Tridico

Progress in Human Development: Are we On the Right Path?

by Srijit Mishra

Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan and Srijit Mishra (2010), Progress in Human Development: Are we On the Right Path? International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Vol.3. No. 3, 199-221.

The conventional measure of Human Development Index (HDI) is a linear average across dimensions, HDI1. Under this,... more The conventional measure of Human Development Index (HDI) is a linear average across dimensions, HDI1. Under this, poor attainments in any dimension gets perfectly compensated for better attainments in any other dimension HDI2, which is based on Euclidean distance measuring shortfall from the ideal, addresses the above anomaly. In our analysis of progress, we use HDI2 to develop the notion of an ideal path and penalty to capture deviation from this; and a measure of fluctuation. The measures are applied to 127 countries for the period 1990-2004. The results show that Sub-Saharan countries have suffered on account of sharp decline in health suggesting prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic. In case of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the income dimension got jolted in the nineties indicating their economic collapse after Soviet disintegration. We also find some of the emerging economies progressing well along the ideal path. On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Human Development Report, this paper is timely and would engage academia and public policy to have a critical look favouring a balanced development across the three dimensions of HDI – health, education and standard of living.

Link to Journal: http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=record&rec_id=35178&prevQuery=&ps=10&m=or

Link to IGIDR working paper version: http://www.igidr.ac.in/pdf/publication/WP-2010-010.pdf

Editorial - Emerging Issues in Developmental and Sectoral Performance - The Indian Experience

by Srijit Mishra

Sushanta Mallick and Srijit Mishra (guest editors), International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies (IJEPEE), Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2010.

This is the editorial of a special issue "Emerging Issues in Developmental and Sectoral Performance - The Indian... more This is the editorial of a special issue "Emerging Issues in Developmental and Sectoral Performance - The Indian Experience," which came out of a larger exercise on quantitative approaches to public policy. The aim is to put together diverse development issues and their implications in different segments of an economy, which are critical issues for low- and middle-income countries in a globalised financial system that places high risk for greater capital mobility into these countries. This special issue focuses on different structural aspects that can give rise to varying degrees of country-specific risks. While the first two papers investigate challenges facing development or improvement in standard of living, the next two papers focus on labour market reform and trade liberalisation in influencing relative prices in those sectors, respectively, with the remaining two papers looking at the performance of two service sectors (electronics and banking) in the aftermath of liberalisation in India and the way forward in these sectors. Overall these selected papers contribute to our understanding of the effects of domestic policy challenges and their effect on development in low and middle-income developing countries.

'On Social Poverty'

by Lewandowski Joseph D