Rethinking development: from recognition as a Human Right to Buen Vivir and other alternatives

Abstract

This article analyzes the content and scope of the concept of development and its recognition as human right, reviewing the main criticisms to its implementation based on economistic and anthropocentric criteria from the Western perspective, which have driven the (re) emergence of other theories that seek to set themselves up as alternatives to development. Considering the existence of a wide range of positions, using mainly dogmatic and deductive-inductive methods, we analyze the foundations and contents of Buen Vivir and its relationship with other theories, to identify the contributions that these ideas can make when designing and articulating social and public policies in this area.