New dimensions for the Human Development Index - HDI according to the capability approach

• Main Authors: Raphael Gomes Brasil, Joel de Jesus Macedo
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Londrina 2016-07-01
• Series: Economia & Região
• Subjects: Tolerance; Criminality; Democracy; HDI; Capability Approach; human development Index
• Online Access: http://www.uel.br/revistas//uel/index.php/ecoreg/article/view/24405

The concept of human development has evolved over the years, from a simple measure of per capita income to more sophisticated definitions, such as the capability approach by Amartya Sen, which is related not only to what people have, but also to a range of capabilities that allow people to choose what they want to be or do. In this sense, the concept of development must be expanded, allowing the Human Development Index (HDI) to cover dimensions related to individual freedoms. In this paper, we suggest a new HDI methodology, adding measures of tolerance, crime and democracy in its calculation. The results allow us to conclude that even societies with a high standard of living face problems such as racism and lack of political freedoms.