
No Small Hope
Towards the Universal Provision of Basic Goods
Kenneth A. Reinert(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 30. August 2018
Book
Hardback
296 pages
978-0-19-049944-0 (ISBN)
Description
With headlines focused on human suffering-civil wars, refugee flows, the spread of disease due to hunger and poor sanitation, population growth, climate change-it is easy to dive into despair. What is needed, instead, is a radical rethinking of global policy to realize the potential for improving the human condition.
This book help provides hope by examining the basic needs for a fundamental shift in thinking about development and human security for both practical and ethical reasons. Kenneth A. Reinert calls for a basic goods approach that focuses on the provision of nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, health services, education services, housing, electricity, and human security services. This approach bridges two perspectives: that of standard growth, which emphasizes increasing GDP per capita, and that of capabilities/human development, which puts priority on the realization of human potential. Reinert argues that only when growth leads to an increase in the broad-based provision of basic goods and services will the hoped-for expansion of human capabilities and development be achieved. In short, basic goods and services are a critical link between growth and human development.
No Small Hope: Towards the Universal Provision of Basic Goods places the basic goods approach on the firm foundation of objective human needs and subsistence rights. It offers a practical agenda for making real progress towards human development by focusing on the real determinants of human well-being in an ethical system of moral minimalism. In a world of climate change, increased risk of natural disasters and increased refugee flows, the basic goods approach promises to help alleviate ongoing suffering and address vast deprivations in basic needs fulfillment.
This book help provides hope by examining the basic needs for a fundamental shift in thinking about development and human security for both practical and ethical reasons. Kenneth A. Reinert calls for a basic goods approach that focuses on the provision of nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, health services, education services, housing, electricity, and human security services. This approach bridges two perspectives: that of standard growth, which emphasizes increasing GDP per capita, and that of capabilities/human development, which puts priority on the realization of human potential. Reinert argues that only when growth leads to an increase in the broad-based provision of basic goods and services will the hoped-for expansion of human capabilities and development be achieved. In short, basic goods and services are a critical link between growth and human development.
No Small Hope: Towards the Universal Provision of Basic Goods places the basic goods approach on the firm foundation of objective human needs and subsistence rights. It offers a practical agenda for making real progress towards human development by focusing on the real determinants of human well-being in an ethical system of moral minimalism. In a world of climate change, increased risk of natural disasters and increased refugee flows, the basic goods approach promises to help alleviate ongoing suffering and address vast deprivations in basic needs fulfillment.
Reviews / Votes
Explores the scale of need, highlights the urgency of the problem, and provides the elements of the solution * Patrick Riordan, Heythrop Journal * a call for action on an important subject * Larry Willmore, Population and Development Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
605 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-049944-0 (9780190499440)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2018
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€27.49
Available for download

E-Book
06/2018
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€27.49
Available for download
Person
Kenneth A. Reinert is Professor of Public Policy and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Professor Reinert was a Senior Economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission and has consulted for the World Trade Organization, the OECD Development Center, the World Bank, and the US Department of Commerce.
Author
Professor of Public Policy, School of Policy, Government, and International AffairsProfessor of Public Policy, School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs, George Mason University
Content
Preface
Chapter 1: What Matters
Part I: Perspectives
Chapter 2: Growth and Capabilities
Chapter 3: Basic Goods
Part II: Challenges
Chapter 4: Food
Chapter 5: Water
Chapter 6: Sanitation
Chapter 7: Health Services
Chapter 8: Education Services
Chapter 9: Housing
Chapter 10: Electricity
Chapter 11: Human Security
Part III: No Small Hope
Chapter 12: No Small Hope
Appendix: Some Economics of Basic Goods
Chapter 1: What Matters
Part I: Perspectives
Chapter 2: Growth and Capabilities
Chapter 3: Basic Goods
Part II: Challenges
Chapter 4: Food
Chapter 5: Water
Chapter 6: Sanitation
Chapter 7: Health Services
Chapter 8: Education Services
Chapter 9: Housing
Chapter 10: Electricity
Chapter 11: Human Security
Part III: No Small Hope
Chapter 12: No Small Hope
Appendix: Some Economics of Basic Goods