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From 'Hume's Law' to Problem- and Policy-Analysis for Human Development. Sen after Dewey, Myrdal, Streeten, Stretton and Haq

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  • Des Gasper

Abstract

Much of Amartya Sen's work has been policy-related, but his methodology of policy analysis has not been explained in detail. Action-related social science involves value-imbued procedures that guide choices. This theme was explored by Streeten and Stretton, and earlier by Dewey and Myrdal. Assisted by Jean Dreze, Sen has evolved a form of policy analysis guided by humanist values rather than those of mainstream economics. Features of this methodology include the following: (1) a wider range of values employed in valuation, with central attention on: how do and can people live?; (2) conceptual investigation of the wider range of values; (3) use of the wider range of values to guide choice of topics and boundaries of analysis; (4) a focus on human realities, not an arbitrary slice of reality selected according to commercial significance and convenience for measurement; (5) using a wider range of values to guide other decisions in analysis; thus, there is a focus on the socio-economic significance of the result; and (6) a matching focus on a wide range of potential policy means. This paper characterizes Sen's policy analysis methodology, its roots in earlier work, and its relations to the UNDP Human Development approach and kindred approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Des Gasper, 2008. "From 'Hume's Law' to Problem- and Policy-Analysis for Human Development. Sen after Dewey, Myrdal, Streeten, Stretton and Haq," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 233-256.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revpoe:v:20:y:2008:i:2:p:233-256
    DOI: 10.1080/09538250701819701
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    1. James Angresano, 1997. "The Political Economy of Gunnar Myrdal," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1196.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hernández G., Ángel G. & Díaz Morales, Katty Marisabel, 2020. "Hambre y hambrunas: una interpretación contemporánea," Agroalimentaria Journal - Revista Agroalimentaria, Centro de Investigaciones Agroalimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales, Universidad de los Andes, vol. 26(50).
    2. Ballet, Jérôme & Koffi, Jean-Marcel & Pelenc, Jérôme, 2013. "Environment, justice and the capability approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 28-34.

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