Introduction

Abstract

This chapter traces the historical context within which the conceptual evolution of the human development and capabilities approach took place. It highlights the fact that the human development paradigm brought back to development a value-based concept that focused on the Aristotelian notion of human flourishing, thereby transcending the narrow interpretation dominated by economic growth. This chapter also compares the human development approach with other people-centric approaches, such as Human Resource Development (HDR), Basic Needs, Human Rights, and Human Security. The human development paradigm assumes renewed relevance for the twenty-first century world that is at the crossroads, plagued by the multidimensional challenges of inequality, environmental degradation, and increased vulnerabilities.