Capability approach Theory Amartya Sen

Amartya Sen's Theory

1. Amartya Sen's Capability Approach HUMAN DEVELOPMENT YOLA PACIENTE

2. Amartya Sen a prominent economist, introduced the Capability Approach in the 1980s as a critique of traditional welfare economics, which was primarily based on income or wealth as the sole indicator of well-being. In 1998, Sen received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to welfare economics.

3. Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach offers a profound rethinking of human development, emphasizing individual freedoms, choices, and opportunities rather than purely economic measures like income or wealth.

4. CAPABILITY APPROACH Sen’s framework shifts the focus from material wealth to a broader consideration of people’s capabilities. This shift allows for a more inclusive approach to development, one that takes into account the qualitative aspects of life such as freedom, dignity, and the ability to make choices.

5. Key Concepts: Capabilities and Functionings Functionings refer to the various things a person may value doing or being, such as being healthy, being educated, or having a good job. Capabilities are the freedoms or opportunities to achieve these functionings . Sen emphasized that individuals should have the real freedom to choose among different functionings , as this reflects their ability to live the life they value.

6. TIMELINE OF CAPABILITY APPROACH 1985: In his paper “Well-Being, Agency, and Freedom,” Sen laid the groundwork for the Capability Approach, arguing that we should focus on what people are able to do (capabilities) rather than just their income or utility.

7. Agency and Freedom in the Capability Approach Agency refers to an individual’s capacity to pursue their own goals and make choices that affect their life. Sen distinguishes between positive freedom and negative freedom. Negative freedom refers to the absence of constraints or interference (e.g., freedom from oppression). Positive freedom involves the capacity to act and realize one’s potential (e.g., having access to education, health care, or political participation).

8. TIMELINE OF CAPABILITY APPROACH 1992: In "Inequality Reexamined", Sen deepened his analysis, arguing that inequality should be assessed by looking at differences in people’s capabilities to function, not just by economic indicators like income or wealth.

9. TIMELINE OF CAPABILITY APPROACH 1999: Sen published "Development as Freedom," which became a seminal text in the field of human development. In this book, Sen expanded on how freedom, as the capability to function in various domains (economic, political, social), is central to development.

10. TIMELINE OF CAPABILITY APPROACH 1993: Nussbaum proposed a list of central human capabilities in her work "Capabilities and Functionings ", suggesting that certain capabilities should be universally protected as part of a just society. These included abilities such as bodily health, practical reason, and affiliation (the ability to engage in social relationships).

11. Nussbaum’s list of capabilities has been widely used in policy-making and human rights frameworks, advocating for a universal set of human rights based on the capability to function in specific areas of life.

12. Expansion and Application The Capability Approach has been applied across various fields, including development economics, social policy, human rights, and political philosophy. It challenges traditional measures of development, such as GDP or income per capita, by focusing on human empowerment and the freedoms that individuals can enjoy. In the Human Development Index (HDI), used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Capability Approach influenced the shift away from purely economic indicators to a broader focus on education, health, and living standards.

13. Expansion and Application The 2000 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their successor, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), have incorporated principles related to the Capability Approach, emphasizing the importance of human capabilities and freedoms in global development.

14. Sen’s Critique of Traditional Development Indicators On Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Human Development Index (HDI) While these metrics provide useful data, they fail to capture the true diversity of human lives.

15. Practical Applications of the Capability Approach The Capability Approach has profound implications for policy and development practices. It has been used to assess poverty not just in terms of income but in terms of the capabilities people have to live a full life. This can include access to education, healthcare, political freedoms, and social participation. Sen’s framework is influential in areas like gender equality and social justice, where the empowerment of marginalized groups is seen as a crucial component of human development.

16. Criticism and Limitations of the Capability Approach Lack of a Clear Metric Challenges in Policy Implementation Practical Challenges Lack of Specificity

17. Defenders’ Response Proponents argue its flexibility and focus on individual freedom offer a valuable alternative to rigid economic models.

18. CAPABILITY APPROACH Transformative Perspective Focus on Capabilities and Freedoms Addresses the limitations of traditional economic models that focus solely on wealth or utility. Challenges in Operationalization Provides a framework for rethinking how development should be understood and measured. Has significant implications for policy-making and global justice.

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