An Inquiry into Well-Being and Destitution

Abstract

Part 1 Well-being - theory and realization: the commodity basis of well-being political morality and the state the object of social contracts well-being - from theory to measurement appendix - political and civil rights indices. Part 2 Allocation of resources among households - the standard theory: resource allocation mechanisms public goods and common property resources decentralization and central guidance real national income as a measure of general well-being uncertainty, insurance and social norms. Part 3 The household and its setting - extensions of the standard theory: land, labour, savings and credit households and credit constraints poverty and the environmental resource base net national product in a dynamic economy food, care and work - the household as an allocation mechanism axiomatic bargaining theory fertility and resources - the household as a reproductive unit strategic complementarities in fertility decisions population and savings - normative considerations classical utilitarianism in a limited world food needs and work capacity adaptation to nourishment inequality, malnutrition and the disenfranchised analysis of allocation mechanisms when nutrition affects productivity incentives and development policies. Subject index: agrarian reform food subsidies employment guarantee schemes and rural infrastructure community participation and credit facilities health and education envoi.