Human Development, Well-being & Globalization: Alternative Perspectives

Book Details

• Author: Prahalad Singh Shekhawat

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• ISBN: 8131603210

• Pages: 256

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches

About the Book
Thematic articles in this book delve into various facets of human development, well-being, and globalization, offering an alternative, multidisciplinary, and cross-cultural perspective. It critiques narrow economic and social indicators often used in development and social progress assessments, arguing for a broader, more multidimensional understanding of development.

The book is deeply influenced by Amartya Sen’s human development approach, which focuses on capabilities, not just income. Sen's framework empowers individuals to choose and live a meaningful life, and Shekhawat builds upon this by arguing that capabilities are even more valuable when they lead to empowerment and holistic well-being. Well-being is viewed not simply as self-centered happiness but as a comprehensive sense of human flourishing and virtue.

In light of neo-liberal globalization and its adverse impacts—such as global warming, economic crises, and the crisis of meaning—this book introduces alternative globalization models. It contrasts the World Social Forum's ethical perspective with the World Economic Forum’s approach, advocating for socially responsible global integration.

Shekhawat’s writing goes beyond traditional development theories, challenging assumptions and proposing new ways to rethink the future of our planet and the well-being of all humanity.

“Mr. Shekhawat has taken up those aspects of development which are generally relegated to the background in current academic discussion. His grasp of conceptual and historical factors is evident in these writings. I do hope that the analysis that he has attempted and the suggestions he has offered will be seriously considered by scholars and practitioners of social and economic change.”
— Professor V.S. Vyas, Professor Emeritus, Former Chairman, Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur

Contents

• Rethinking Human Development and Well-being

• The Role of Capabilities in Empowerment

• Multidimensional Well-being vs. Self-centered Happiness

• Globalization, Economic Crisis, and the Search for Meaning

• World Social Forum vs. World Economic Forum

• Ethical Reconsiderations for the Future of Our Planet

About the Author / Editor
Prahlad Singh Shekhawat is a writer, freelance journalist, and founder-director of the Alternative Development Centre, Jaipur. With a Master's degree in International Development Studies from The Hague, Shekhawat has worked on numerous civil society campaigns. He is an advisor to the Children’s Rights Network in Rajasthan and has contributed to journals, newspapers, and magazines like Tehelka and Hindustan Times. His previous works include Aspects of Human Development and Culture and The Anand Cooperative Model.