Balancing Human and Informational Development in Latin America

In this presentation the relationship between human development and informational development is analysed, in the understanding that this link can take several forms according to the development models or strategies assumed by societies. Based on an investigation of several Latin American countries in the decade of 2005 - 2015, coordinated by Dr. Fernando Calderón, we analyse in depth the case of Uruguay. We integrate two concept discussion: human development (Amartya Sen, 1999) and; informational development (Castells, 2000). Informational human development (Castells and Himanen, 2014) was studied as different forms of balance between human development (which without informational development does not produce economic growth and generates fiscal deficits) and informational development (which without human development produces increasing inequalities and exclusion)

The Uruguayan model is analysed with a holistic approach including different dimensions of development (economic and productive, social, cultural and political) in the Latin American context. The research uses statistical and documentary data and 20 interviews with qualified informants (development actors). Our main findings describe a model of human informational development in which traditional production structure, based on the export of primary products, an economic growth based on "commodities comfort" is recorded. At the environmental level, a change from an energy matrix based on hydrocarbons to a sustainable one. Informational development through the universalization of new technologies but with a slow inclusion in the productive structure. Progress in human development and reduction of inequalities and exclusion but with deficit but also consumerism. Consolidation of social and political rights with cultural changes (legalization of marijuana, homosexual marriage, legalization of abortion) and the country emerges as a "social and political laboratory". The results stimulates new theoretical reflections about informational and human development.