PSY 145 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Paul Streeten, Human Development Index, Psych
Document Summary
Creation of an index of political freedom: there was some debate over whether political freedom is an integral part of human development. There should be no hesitation, at a logical level. Human development has the aim of broadening the variety of choices made by people and the most fundamental option is the right to make an option, rather than making anyone else make one. As paul streeten points out in his insightful foreword: "in a well-managed prison life expectancy and health may be very high. In a zoo, basic physical needs are well met" Accordingly, freedom can not be isolated from human growth. This argument can extend very weakly to any measure the hdi, or even gnp. It judges and rates literature, elegance, and sculpture: why not liberty. Sure, it can"t easily measure those cultural and religious freedoms. Nor can it quickly describe the nature of political life.
