Letitia's Reviews > Development as Freedom

Re-read (skimmed) this book which was a text from grad school just to refresh my memory. It continues to be such a solid contribution to the world of international development, even if I am a different, far more progressive person reading it now than I was ten years ago.

Sen's primary assertion, that human freedom is both a means and a goal to development, is what distinguishes and recommends this text. Complemented by one of the more compassionate readings of Adam Smith (and one with which I whole-heartedly agree since Smith's primary goal was to alleviate poverty by suggesting that the poor have equal access to markets in order to sustain themselves through commerce) and a sprinkling of Marx, Sen has the ability to win over both the hardened economist and the open-minded casual reader.

Reading this several years later I realize there is some capacity for critique. For example his idyllic lauding of the Japanese model of capitalism can be thoroughly criticized by its well-documented toxic work culture, high rates of mental illness and suicide, not to mention the extreme isolation forced by a societal pressure to work non-stop. So maybe some sections of it are dated and need close revision. But overall it's a solid read and the basic premise is still one I firmly adhere to: rights first, rights always, development as you go.