The Human Development Index: A conceptual and empirical deconstruction by Dale Powell, B.A. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Geography Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario May, 2007 © 2007, Dale Powell Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 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Abstract This study investigates the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). It develops and tests the hypothesis that, at a practical and pragmatic level the HDI is technically a good surrogate for other facets of living conditions, which are often described as Quality of Life (QOL). The study focuses on an investigation of a subset (164) of the 177 countries in the Human Development Index using 32 variables. In the early stages, the presentation discusses the transition from a technical project in cartographic representation to a statistical analysis of the HDI. Next, the more conceptual aspects related to the definition of human development and quality of life is explored. The study found that countries with higher life expectancy, education, and income (the ingredients of the HDI) also typically share other benefits. They consume more resources, have better access to technology, have stronger community support, and distribute wealth more equitably on average than countries with low life expectancy, education, and income. The hypothesis that the HDI is pragmatically a good empirical surrogate for measuring living conditions is accepted. However, issues of concept, construction, and values remain unresolved. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements I wish to thank all the staff at Social Watch in Montevideo, Uruguay, particularly Ernesto Rapetti and Roberto Bissio, for granting permission to use the Indicators Interactive Map, and for their hospitable and delightful correspondence. I appreciate Dr. Brian Eddy’s valued advice and his help providing Wellbeing of Nations data. I am truly grateful to my thesis supervisor, Dr. David Bennett for his guidance and patience, and for sharing his extraordinary wisdom. I especially would like to thank my loving wife Sylvie for being a constant source of encouragement. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................................................iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................................vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS................................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF APPENDICES................................................................................... ix PREFACE................................................................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................6 2.0 INITIAL RESEARCH INTENTIONS AND SOME REVELATIONS........................................... 20 2.1 C onceptual Background and T heoretical Ba s is .......................................................................20 2.2 O riginal C o n c e p t ...................................................................................................................................28 2.3 W eb -map Pr o to type .............................................................................................................................. 33 2.3.1 Software........................................................................................................................................... 33 2.3.2 Architecture......................................................................................................................................35 2.3.3 Study Area .......................................................................................................................................35 2.3.4 Data and Data Collection .............................................................................................................35 2.4 Excel Ex p e r im e n t ..................................................................................................................................37 2.5 C o n c lu sio n ...............................................................................................................................................42 3.0 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT............................................................................................44 3.1 H uman Developm ent Report Back g r o u n d ....................................................................................44 3.2 H uman Developm ent In d e x ................................................................................................................. 48 3.3 C onflating the H uman Developm ent Index as Q uality of Lif e .............................................. 54 3.4 H uman Developm ent Index C r it ic is m .............................................................................................. 57 3.4.1 Wellbeing of Nations.....................................................................................................................58 3.4.2 Miscellaneous HDI Criticisms.................................................................................................... 60 4.0 QUALITY OF LIFE..........................................................................................................................76 4.1 A review of David M. S m ith ’s W o r k .................................................................................................76 4.1.1 Measuring Well-being.......................................................................... 77 4.1.2 Measuring Inequality ............................................................................. 79 4.1.3 Opportunities of Power......................................................................... 80 4.1.4 Ethics and Morality ........................................................................................................................ 81 4.1.5 Community............................................................................................... 83 4.1.6 Inherited Opportunities................................................................................................................. 84 4.1.7 Basic Human Needs .....................................................................................................................85 4.1.8 The Environment............................................................................................................................ 86 4.1.9 Summary ..........................................................................................................................................87