Freedom as the foundation of the human right to development

Abstract

This article focuses on the role that freedom plays in the right to development. This analysis is grounded in Amartya Sen's theory of development. The main objective of the article is to conduct a detailed analysis of the role of freedom from Amartya Sen's perspective, seeking to understand how freedom, according to Sen, translates into the materialization and enjoyment of human rights, conceived as capabilities and functionings, thus contributing to the integral development of individuals. The methodological approach centers on the critical review of Amartya Sen's development theory. Additionally, there is a review of the conceptual evolution of freedom, from its initial conceptions to the contemporary perspective. The article reveals that, according to Sen's theory, freedom plays a fundamental role in the materialization of human rights, understood as capabilities and functionings. It also highlights the conceptual evolution of freedom, emphasizing the importance of considering it from an individual perspective and also a social perspective, which stresses society's responsibility to provide support for achieving such development. In conclusion, the article provides a deeper understanding of the role of freedom in human development. It stresses the need to consider both individual freedom and the social dimension to fully comprehend its impact on the materialization of human rights.