Visions of Development: A Study of Human Values

Visions of Development is a path-breaking and original volume, examining concepts and perceptions of human development through a unique synthesis of empirical and philosophical work. The author builds on the foundations of Sen and Nussbaum's capability approach, now at the forefront of development studies.

The book aims to identify and clarify academic concepts of development, to consider how poor people themselves perceive 'development' and confronts abstract concepts of development with the views of ordinary people. It represents the first systematic attempt to construct a development ethic (list of valuable capabilities) that is based directly on the values and experiences of the poor.

David Clark considers the case for viewing development in terms of the expansion of human capabilities instead of some narrow conception of utility or opulence; and develops a non-paternalistic methodology for forging a development ethic that can respect the values of all people. He then proceeds to develop an account of human development based on the perceptions of people living in both rural and urban locations in South Africa - Murraysburg and Wallacedene respectively.

A multidisciplinary and accessible text, this challenging book will appeal not only to scholars and researchers in development economics but also economic geographers, social scientists and political economists. It will also be of great interest to policymakers and practitioners.

David Alexander Clark, Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester, UK