Policies for human development

The Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) distinguishes itself from other flagship reports on development in the sense that it is based on an innovative concept that defines development as the expansion of choices by enhancing capabilities. The present paper analyses to what extent this innovative concept is reflected in the policy options suggested by the reports, and whether it makes a difference for the direction the suggestions take. The purpose of the analysis is to understand how conceptual work on development influences policy advice, which is the foundation for action to achieve development objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).