ABSTRACT
A strong case can be made for regarding human development (HD) as the ultimate objective of human activity in place of economic growth. HD has been defined as enlarging people’s choices in a way which enables them to lead longer, healthier and fuller lives. This chapter focuses on a narrow subset of choices, those directed specifically at health and education, which are among the basic preconditions of choice in other dimensions. It presents some econometric estimates for Latin American (LA), comparing them with the earlier global findings. The chapter draws on some country cases in LA which have been particularly successful or unsuccessful. It also presents thumbnail sketches of three of the good (virtuous-cycle) and three of the poor (vicious-cycle) performers. The chapter aims to identify specific circumstances and policies which appear to be responsible for such outcomes. They are: Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Haiti, Bolivia, and Nicaragua.
