Dudley Seers is famous for replacing the "growth fetishism" of the early postwar period with a greater concern for social development.

He stressed the relativistic nature of judgements about development and questioned the value of the neoclassical approach to economics.

[3] Writing on the Criteria for Development Nixon Reports, Seers argues that "Surely the values we need are staring us in the face, as soon as we ask ourselves: what are the necessary conditions for a universally accepted aim, the realization of the potential of human personality?

As progress is made towards the economic goals, that is 'undernourishment, unemployment and inequality dwindle'.. 'educational and political aims become increasingly important objectives of development'.

Dudley was married to Patrica Seers with which they had three daughters, Pauline, Andina, Susan and a son, Phillip.