The Third Layer of the Bubble Theory: Human Development Principles (HDPs)

Abstract

As an individual’s ENs bubble up into the public domain, they sometimes merge with similar ENs of other individuals to form bigger bubbles. When bubbles become large enough, they may become human development principles adopted by society at large. Human development principles (HDPs) form the last layer of the Bubble Theory. In this chapter, I first provide an overview of HDPs, and discuss the pros and cons of two broad categories of such principles—optimization-based and heuristics-based. I argue that heuristics-based principles are most appropriate in the current stage of human development. I then formally propose and justify the concept of fair development (FD) as the ideal candidate heuristic at present. I discuss how FD is operationalized and contrast it with the concept of sustainable development (SD). I conclude this chapter and the Bubble Theory by proposing ENs and FD as an actionable framework for both the private and public sector, and discussing the relationship between ENs and FD.