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Aspirations and the Development Treadmill

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  • Debraj Ray

Abstract

I describe a positive theory of socially determined aspirations, and some implications of that theory for the study of economic inequality and social conflict. The main contribution of the theory is that it attempts to describe, in the same explanatory arc, how a change in aspirations can be inspirational in some circumstances, or a source of frustration and resentment in others. These different reactions arise from the aspirational gap: the difference between socially generated aspirations and the current socio-economic standard that the individual enjoys. Ever-accelerating economic development can cut both ways in terms of inspiration and frustration.

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  • Debraj Ray, 2016. "Aspirations and the Development Treadmill," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 309-323, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:17:y:2016:i:3:p:309-323
    DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2016.1211597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goux, Dominique & Gurgand, Marc & Maurin, Eric, 2014. "Adjusting Your Dreams? The Effect of School and Peers on Dropout Behaviour," IZA Discussion Papers 7948, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Melissa S. Kearney & Phillip B. Levine, 2016. "Income Inequality, Social Mobility, and the Decision to Drop Out of High School," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 47(1 (Spring), pages 333-396.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Carol Graham & Julia R. Pozuelo, 2023. "Do high aspirations lead to better outcomes? Evidence from a longitudinal survey of adolescents in Peru," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(3), pages 1099-1137, July.
    3. In Hyee Hwang & Semee Yoon, 2025. "Aspirational Revolution or Aspiration Failure? Gendered Effect of Household Wealth on Educational Aspirations in China," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(2), pages 521-539, March.
    4. begard Iversen & Anirudh Krishna & Kunal Sen, 2017. "Beyond poverty escapes – social mobility in the Global South: A survey article," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 172017, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    5. Eger, Claudia & Miller, Graham & Scarles, Caroline, 2018. "Gender and capacity building: A multi-layered study of empowerment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 207-219.
    6. Costa,Valentina & Contreras Gonzalez,Ivette Maria & Palacios-Lopez,Amparo, 2024. "Never Too Young to Dream Big : Measuring Youth Aspirations in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10816, The World Bank.
    7. Tabe-Ojong, Martin Paul Jr. & Nshakira-Rukundo, Emmanuel, 2021. "Religiosity and parental educational aspirations for children in Kenya," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).

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