The meaning of 'development' changes depending on what society needs to achieve a better life at a given time (Crocker 1992, p. 585). Exactly how we approach development varies depending on our conception of justice in light of this goal. This paper examines three approaches to development: the rights-based approach, the basic needs approach and the capabilities approach. Bottom line: As far as fairness is concerned, the rights-based approach is the most palatable of the three, but even so it is not without its flaws. The rights-based approach is based on the concept of human rights, which aim to create freedom, justice and peace in the world (United Nations 2014, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, para. 1). This approach sees development in terms of building the capacity of individuals and nation states to realize and claim their rights by duty bearers and to fulfill their obligation to respect, protect and realize those claimed rights (Joussan 2003 p. 15; OHCHR 1996-2012, "What are human rights?", para. The nature and scope of such rights have been determined through a process of negotiation and agreement between several member states around the world (United Nations 2014, ' History of the document', par. 1-7) and have been codified in the following documents: The Charter of the United Nations (1945), The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966 ), The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) and The Declaration of the Rights to Development (1986) The Charter and Declaration have no legal force and serve more as a vision to which member states can aspire. But those Pacts agreed and signed by the various member states are... in the middle of the paper... Approach to the State, property and discrimination, Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 906-932OHCHR 1996-2012, What are Human Rights?, United Nations, accessed 27 April 2014, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Pages/WhatareHuman Rights.aspxSmith MJ 1999, Humanitarian Intervention: An Overview of the Ethical Issues, in Patrick Hayden (ed.), The Philosophy of Human Rights, Paragon House, United States, pp. 478-500Spalding N. 1990, The Relevance of Basic Needs for Political and Economic Development, Studies in Comparative International Development, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 90-115 United Nations 2014, History Document, United Nations, accessed 27 April 2014, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/history.shtml United Nations 2014, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, accessed 27 April 2014, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml