The human development and capabilities approach as a twenty-first century ideology of globalization

• Main Author: JOSHI, Devin K.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2021
• Subjects: Capabilities approach; discourse analysis; globalization; human development; ideology; neoliberalism; International Relations; Political Science
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3591; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4849/viewcontent/HDAC_sv.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

While many scholars have analysed neo-liberalism (i.e. market globalism) as an ideology of globalization, much less is known about alternative and emerging ideologies that challenge neoliberalism on a global scale. Addressing this gap, I critically examine the ‘human development and capabilities approach’ (HDCA) as a counter-ideology to neoliberalism promoted by the United Nations. Applying morphological discourse analysis and incorporating critical insights from recent work by Manfred Steger and Paul James, this study demonstrates how the HDCA (i.e. capabilities globalism) functions as a well-developed ideology steeped in a global imaginary. Yet, despite having multiple strengths, HDCA morphology and deployment have limited its potential global resonance. In response, I propose that an ideology committed to global human development should take more seriously four pivotal factors: state capacity, solidarity, spirituality, and the role of intergovernmental bodies like the United Nations.