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This is an examination of the concepts and perceptions of human development through a unique synthesis of empirical and philsophical work. The author builds on the foundations of Sen and Nussbaum's capability approach, now at the forefront of development studies. The book aims to identify and clarify academic concepts of development, to consider how poor people themselves perceive "development" and confronts abstract concepts of development with the views of ordinary people. It represents a systematic attempt to construct a development ethic (list of valuable capabilities) that is based directly on the values and experiences of the poor. David Clark considers the case for viewing development in terms of the expansion of human capabilities instead of some narrow conception of utility or opulence; and develops a non-paternalistic methodology for forging a development ethic that can respect the values of all people. He then proceeds to develop an account of human development based on the perceptions of people living in both rural and urban locations in South Africa - Murraysburg and Wallacedene respectively.
