1. Significance

For this experimental project within the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential, codes have been appended to the value words on the index pages (and at the end of each profile). These codes correspond to the type sections into which the descriptive profiles have been tentatively clustered in the Encyclopedia. No attempt has been made to use more complex groupings as is done for the associated world problems or strategies database entries.

Rationale

The words used to indicate values tend to be those most subject to misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Indeed, part of their strength in evoking an integrative response from people lies in the way that people can project their different aspirations onto the same word, as can be seen in the case of "peace". Such words therefore lend themselves to the production of lengthy treatises clarifying the ways each may be interpreted, or ought to be.

Rationale

Rationale

Widespread recognition is currently given to the importance of identifying constructive values as a guide to formulation of policy and action programmes in response to problems. Indeed it may be argued that such problems are only perceptible in the light of the values they infringe. Specific values are frequently cited in political discourse as a rallying focus around which people may be incited to action.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 list the value words (given with their database identifying number) having the greatest number of cross-references to distinct value polarities (Section VP) listed in Figure 3. Such cross-references correspond to distinct connotations of a given word.

Figure 4. Value types (Section VT)

Figure 5.

Corresponds in presentation to Figure 4. Indicates totals by value type for the constructive and destructive value word cross-references (Sections VC and VD) via the value polarities in Figure 3 (Section VP). See commentary.

Figure 3. Value polarities (Section VP). Presented in order of the number of cross-references to constructive and destructive value words (Sections VC and VD). Low order polarities have been omitted. Polarity names are only indicative. Most cited constructive value words are presented in Figure 1; destructive value words in Figure 2. See commentary.

For this project within the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential, codes have been appended to the names of approaches to human development on the index pages (and at the end of each profile). These codes correspond to the type sections into which the descriptive profiles have been tentatively clustered in the Encyclopedia. No attempt has been made to use more complex groupings as is done for the associated world problems or strategies database entries.

H: Concepts of human development