The Concept of Human Development - Essay Example

As stated by Metelev et al (2015), the focus of human development is on improving the lives of people rather than improving the economy and assuming that economic growth will automatically lead to the well-being of the people. Human development is therefore an alternative approach that is based on social justice as an approach to determining human progress.

Capabilities are central to an understanding of the concept of human development. Capabilities refer to what people can do and what they can become hence are the equipment that an individual has to pursue in life. According to Burman (2012), access to knowledge, quality healthcare, and quality standard of living are regarded as the basic capabilities that one needs to be successful in life. Other capabilities that may influence an individual’s well-being include; the ability to participate in decisions that affect one’s life, freedom from violence, having fun, and having control of a person’s living environment. For instance, providing high-quality education for a girl would ensure he acquires the necessary skills to succeed in jobs, however, if that girl is denied a job opportunity then her education will not be useful. Another scenario is when such a girl is not provided with a quality education that matches the labor market then her education will not be useful. Metelev et al (2015) outline three foundations for human development, access to resources and knowledge and: healthy, creative, and long life. According to Bilbao-Ubillos (2013), the basic foundations mentioned above then open up other opportunities that create favorable conditions for human development and include: human rights and security, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and participation in community and political life.

Human development is also fundamental to choices because as opportunities increase, it creates various alternatives for people to choose from. According to Burman (2012), human development is concerned with providing people with different choices, and not insisting that they make use of them. This implies that the process of human development creates an environment for people collectively and individually to develop their full potential to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives that they value. Various alternatives are important in ensuring that people combine the most productive choices in the process of improving their well-being. According to Metelev et al (2015), people’s capabilities are constrained or expanded by their capabilities. Capabilities are limited by people’s efforts, conditions, and institutions within the society in which they live. As stated by Bilbao-Ubillos (2013), people living in societies that are well-developed with various capabilities have the right tools they require to make their vision of well-being a reality. On the other hand, those with fewer capabilities are less able to chart their way forward and seize opportunities thus without basic capabilities the potential of humans remains unfilled.