This study examines the historical evolution and theoretical foundations of social development, tracing its shift from rigid macroeconomic models toward holistic, human-centered paradigms. Historically, post-World War II development theories prioritized linear economic growth, assuming that capital accumulation would naturally yield broad societal well-being. However, critical paradigms—including Dependency Theory, World-Systems Theory, and the Capability Approach—fundamentally redefined social progress by prioritizing institutional welfare, structural equity, and the expansion of substantive human freedoms over simple economic output. To build a comprehensive theoretical model, this paper synthesizes foundational psychological, sociological, and ecological frameworks. At the individual level, psychological theories demonstrate how cognitive maturation, identity, and social learning are mediated by cultural tools and interpersonal environments. At the structural level, sociological paradigms illustrate how institutions, class relations, and power dynamics either facilitate or hinder collective social integration. Finally, socio-ecological systems models integrate these dimensions, illustrating that sustainable human development operates across nested environmental levels bounded by planetary limits. Ultimately, the study concludes that contemporary social development requires a balanced synthesis of micro-level human capability, macro-level equitable policy, and long-term ecological sustainability.