Question

Which of the following approach was initially proposed by International Labour Organization?

• A. Income Approach
• B. Capability Approach
• C. Welfare Approach
• D. Basic Need Approach

Hint:

Match Human Development Approaches with their originators/concepts:
Basic Needs Approach $\rightarrow$ International Labour Organization (ILO).
Capability Approach $\rightarrow$ Prof. Amartya Sen.
Welfare Approach $\rightarrow$ State as benefactor providing social amenities.
Income Approach $\rightarrow$ Oldest approach linking freedom directly to income level.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
Human development assesses the expansion of human freedoms, capabilities, and overall quality of life rather than solely evaluating economic output.
Over the decades, international development literature has recognized several distinct philosophical approaches to measuring and conceptualizing human development.
These include the Income Approach, the Welfare Approach, the Basic Needs Approach, and the Capability Approach.

Step 1: The Basic Needs Approach by the ILO:
The Basic Needs Approach was initially formulated and championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) during the World Employment Conference in 1976.
This framework shifts the development debate away from aggregate economic indicators toward the direct satisfaction of essential physical and social human requirements.
The ILO explicitly highlighted six vital basic needs: health, education, food, water supply, sanitation, and housing.
Under this approach, the question of human choice is not emphasized; the primary focus is entirely on fulfilling minimum essential material needs.

Step 2: Other Development Approaches:
The Income Approach is the oldest paradigm, linking human development directly to the level of income.
The Welfare Approach views human beings as beneficiaries of government development expenditure on health, education, and amenities.
The Capability Approach was developed by Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, emphasizing the building of human capabilities to expand freedom of choice.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the approach initially proposed by the International Labour Organization is the Basic Need Approach.