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Functionings, Capabilities and the 2010 Human Development Index

Author

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  • Eduardo Zambrano

    (California Polytechnic State University)

Abstract

In 2010 the UNDP unveiled a new methodology for the calculation of the Human Development Index (HDI). In this paper I investigate the merits of this change by evaluating the tradeoffs between the core dimensions of wellbeing implied by the index and try to understand the extent to which those tradeoffs are problematic in light of the normative principles that the 2010 HDI is designed to satisfy. I also compare the rankings that ensue to those produced by alternatives brought forth by Ravallion (2010) building on work by Chakravarty (2003). In practice, all methodologies agree considerably in terms of how they rank countries, but when they differ, the 2010 HDI arguably produces results more consistent with what the HDI is intended to measure: human development and capabilities, as conceptualized by Sen (1985).

Suggested Citation

  • Eduardo Zambrano, 2011. "Functionings, Capabilities and the 2010 Human Development Index," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2011-11, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    • Handle: RePEc:hdr:papers:hdrp-2011-11
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    File URL: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2011/papers/HDRP_2011_11.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jeni Klugman & Francisco Rodríguez & Hyung-Jin Choi, 2011. "The HDI 2010: new controversies, old critiques," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 9(2), pages 249-288, June.
    2. Michael Toze & Julie Fish & Trish Hafford-Letchfield & Kathryn Almack, 2020. "Applying a Capabilities Approach to Understanding Older LGBT People’s Disclosures of Identity in Community Primary Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Suman Seth and Antonio Villar, 2017. "Measuring Human Development and Human Deprivations," OPHI Working Papers ophiwp110.pdf, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    4. Carmen Herrero & Ricardo Mart�nez & Antonio Villar, 2012. "A Newer Human Development Index," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 247-268, May.
    5. Javier Bilbao-Ubillos, 2013. "Another Approach to Measuring Human Development: The Composite Dynamic Human Development Index," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 111(2), pages 473-484, April.
    6. Lukas Schrott & Martin Gaechter & Engelbert Theurl, 2015. "Regional Development in Advanced Countries: A Within-country Application of the Human Development Index for Austria," DANUBE: Law and Economics Review, European Association Comenius - EACO, issue 1, pages 1-23, March.
    7. Suman Seth & Antonio Villar, 2014. "The Measurement of Human Development and Poverty," Working Papers 14.10, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    8. Mercado, Ruben, 2013. "Development indices, inequality, and applied development policy analysis: some issues for discussion," MPRA Paper 58018, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Undp, 2011. "HDR 2011 - Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All," Human Development Report (1990 to present), Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), number hdr2011, September.
    10. Tommaso Luzzati & Bruno Cheli & Gianluca Gucciardi, 2017. "Communicating the uncertainty of synthetic indicators: a reassessment of the HDI ranking," Discussion Papers 2017/228, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    11. Leandro Prados de la Escosura, 2015. "World Human Development: 1870–2007," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 61(2), pages 220-247, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Development Index; Capabilites;

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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