Economics of Human Development
- Semester: III
- Number of Credits: 4
Preamble
This course on Human Development, consisting of 4 credits over 48 lectures, focuses on the widely accepted global perspective of viewing development as expansion of people’s capabilities, capacities and choices. This people-centric analytical framework for designing and assessing public policy interventions has several implications at macro, meso and micro levels both nationally as well as internationally. This elective has a relatively strong applied component specifically in relation to India that is in-built into each module.
Module 1: Concepts of HD (12 lectures)
Perspectives on development; Definition of HD; Different approaches to HD; Human rights: Civil, political institutional & organisational rights; Connects & disconnects between HD & HR; Millennium Development Goals.
Module 2: Measurement (12 lectures)
Need for indices; GDP; Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI); Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY); Social Capability Index; H D I; Human Poverty Index; GDI; Gap between PCY & HDI; GEM; Human Rights Index.
Module 3: Factors affecting Human Development (12 lectures)
Empowerment, equalities, gender, equity, sustainability, security, productivity & participation; Environment; Displacement; Workers & informal sector; Role of freedoms in promoting HD; Impacts of globalisation; Human security & conflict.
Module 4: Policies/Strategies for Human Development (12 lectures)
Multi-dimensionality of poverty & strategies for poverty alleviation; Concept of inclusive growth: Role of civil society, NGOs, & people’s organisations; Obstacles to inclusive growth; Policies for disempowered groups.
Ritu Dewan
Selected References
1. |
Chelliah Raja J and R. Sudarshan (ed), 1999, Income Poverty and Beyond: Human Development in India, |
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UNDP, Social Science Press, New Delhi |
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2. |
Comim F, M. Qizilbash and S. Alkire (ed), 2007: The Capability Approach: Concepts, Measures and |
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Applications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge |
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3. |
Costanza R, B. Low, E. Ostrom and James Wilson (ed), 2001: Institutions, Ecosystems and Sustainability, |
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Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton |
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4. |
Dev S. Mahendra, P. Antony, V. Gayathri, and R P Mamgain, 2001: Social and Economic Security in India, |
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Institute for Human Development, New Delhi. |
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5. |
Fukuda-Parr S. and Shiva Kumar A K (ed), 2003: Readings in Human Development: Concepts, Measures |
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and Policies for a Development Paradigm, Oxford University Press, New Delhi |
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6. |
Grinspun, A. (ed), 2001: Choices for the Poor, Lessons from National Poverty Strategies, UNDP, New York |
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7. |
International Labour Organization, 2004: A Fair Globalization: Creating Opportunities for All, World |
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Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, Geneva |
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8. |
International Labour Organization: World Employment Reports |
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9. |
Meier G M and Stiglitz J E (ed), 2001: Frontiers of Development Economics, Oxford University Press, New |
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York. |
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10. |
Sen Amartya, 1999: Development as Freedom, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. |
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11. |
Sen Amartya and Jean Dreze, 1998: India: Economic Development and Social Opportunity, Oxford |
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University Press, New Delhi |
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12. |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Human Development Reports 1990-2008, Oxford |
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University Press, New York |
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13. |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – India, State Human Development Reports, 2003 – |
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2006, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. |
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M.A. Credit Course 
