... the test' to establish its validity and relevance of demonstrating the level or growth of human development in a country. Where the HDI is not a good indicator of a particular aspect of human development, alternatives will be proposed and evaluated. A conclusion will be drawn on whether the HDI is a good indicator and even if this proves not to be the case whether it is the best out of the current alternatives or not. Today, human development is defined in broader social and political goals, than was the case with the "Washington Consensus'" (Stiglitz) when crude and narrow measures of GNP/capita, and economic growth was more or less equated with a better life. However, as will be seen in the definitions of relative and absolute poverty, this is not necessarily indicative of well-being and welfare which are shown by higher levels of capabilities and functioning. To give an example, ...

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