Estado desarrollista humano: los retos de una conceptualización multidimensional

Abstract

For more than one century Developmental State has been conceptualized from the unidimensional approach of economic development. However, development theory evolution towards multidimensional approaches has led to its conceptualization as Human Developmental State. This paper poses the main conceptual, theoretical and methodological challenges for this approach. These are: i) choosing the conceptual approach within the multidimensional heterogeneity, ii) constructing common theoretical and analytical frameworks in a multidisciplinary context, iii) resolving the tension between inductive-normative and deductive-descriptive methodological approaches and developing methods and quantitative indicators for international comparisons. In conclusion, a series of challenges of different order are presented and will demand progress in different disciplines until reaching a solid theoretical and analytical body that allows to speak of a unified and consolidated conceptualization of the human developmental state. This paper tries to take a step in this direction through a proposal of conceptual systematization and analytical operationalization.