The MDGs, Capabilities and Human Rights: The power of numbers to shape agendas

Heralded as opening a new chapter in international development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have led to the use of global goals and quantitative targets as a central instrument for defining global priorities. This book explores the implications of this new approach. How does target setting influence policy priorities of national governments, bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders? What are the intended and unintended consequences? Why is the use of numeric indicators effective? How does quantification reshape meanings of challenges such as women’s empowerment?

Building on 11 case studies and a conceptual framework, this book provides a goal-by-goal analysis by leading specialists in the relevant fields. These specialists analyse the choices made, as well as the empirical and normative effects of the MDGs to offer insights for a more rigorous use of indicators and cautions on their limitations and perverse consequences. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities.

Alicia Ely Yamin is a Lecturer on Global Health and Policy Director at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, USA. Her career bridges academia and activism. She has published dozens of scholarly articles and books, and regularly advises UN agencies on global health, and development issues.

Sakiko Fukuda-Parr is a Professor of International Affairs at The New School, New York City, USA. She is a development economist who has published widely on a broad range of development policy related issues and is best known for her work as director and lead author of the UNDP Human Development Reports 1995-2004.