Development As Freedom

`an enjoyable, unusual and important contribution' John Mulqueen, Irish Times 02/02/01 `The connecting theme behind these essays is that development is about expanding people's ability to do things that they have a reason to value. The rationale for this is discussed with great force, clarity and consistency.' S.V. Subramanian, Progress in Development Studies 1(1), Jan 01. `the ideas are presented in a very accessible, nontechnical language. The writing is lucid with interesting story-telling openings ... a topical and timely appeal to an audience that cuts across disciplines.' S.V. Subramanian, Progress in Development Studies 1(1), Jan 01. `a brilliant book. Sen ranges over a vast intellectual landscape ... Many authors try this kind of tour d'horizon but few succeed as well as Amartya Sen. He is a multi-faceted scholar who has thought deeply and rigorously and has published extensively. Although Development as Freedom covers imense territory, it is subtle and nuanced and its careful scholarship is manifest at every turn.' Lars Osberg, Reviews, Compte Rendus, Autumn 2000. `Sen has looked for ways to empower the poor ... Development as Freedom is a testament to Sen's unwavering commitment to the task ... this is economics that should be read: not merely for the elegance of its arguments or the wisdom of its judgements, but for the deep and burnished humanity that animates it.' David Goldblatt, The Independent `Development as Freedom is a personal manifesto: a summing up; a blend of vision, close argument, reflection and reminiscence.' The Economist `The world's poor and dispossessed could have no more articulate or insightful a champion among economists than Amartya Sen. By showing that the quality of our lives should be measured not by our wealth but by our freedom, his writings have revolutionized the theory and practice of development. The United Nations, in its own development work, has benefited immensely from the wisdom and good sense of Professor Sen's views.

' Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations `In this book, Amartya Sen develops elegantly, compactly, and yet broadly the concept that economic development is in its nature an increase in freedom. By historical examples, empirical evidence, and forceful and rigorous analysis, he shows how development, broadly and properly conceived, cannot be antagonistic to liberty but consists precisely in its increase.

' Kenneth J. Arrow, Nobel Laureate in Economic Science `Amartya Sen has made several key contributions to research on fundamental problems in welfare economics. By combining tools from economics and philosophy, he has restored an ethical dimension to the discussion of vital economic problems.

' From the Royal Swedish Academy Announcement of the Award of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economic Science.