[go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd
Upload
50 views2 pages

Understanding the Capabilities Approach

The Capabilities Approach, developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, emphasizes individual well-being, freedom, and social justice by focusing on what people can do and be rather than just their material wealth. It identifies five types of freedom: political, economic, social, transparency guarantees, and protective security, alongside key concepts such as functionings, capabilities, agency, and conversion factors. Nussbaum outlines central capabilities essential for a dignified life, including bodily health, emotional expression, practical reason, and the ability to form relationships.

Uploaded by

mahzebinpushpo22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
50 views2 pages

Understanding the Capabilities Approach

The Capabilities Approach, developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, emphasizes individual well-being, freedom, and social justice by focusing on what people can do and be rather than just their material wealth. It identifies five types of freedom: political, economic, social, transparency guarantees, and protective security, alongside key concepts such as functionings, capabilities, agency, and conversion factors. Nussbaum outlines central capabilities essential for a dignified life, including bodily health, emotional expression, practical reason, and the ability to form relationships.

Uploaded by

mahzebinpushpo22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Capabilities Approach

Introduction

 Developed by economist Amartya Sen and philosopher Martha Nussbaum.


 Focuses on individual well-being, freedom, and social justice.
 Emphasizes what people are able to do and be (capabilities) rather than just
material wealth or resources.

Five distinct types of freedom

Political Freedoms:

 Participation in political processes (e.g., voting, free speech).

Economic Facilities:

 Access to economic resources and opportunities (e.g., employment, markets).

Social Opportunities:

 Access to social services like education and healthcare.

Transparency Guarantees:

 Access to information and government accountability.

Protective Security:

 Protection from deprivation through social safety nets.

Key concepts of capability approach

Functionings:

 The achieved states of being or doing (e.g., being healthy, educated, or engaged
in social life).
 Reflect what individuals are able to do or be.

Capabilities:

 The freedom or potential to achieve various functionings.


 Represents a person's real opportunities to lead the life they value.
Agency:

 The ability of individuals to act and make choices based on their values and
goals.
 Focuses on self-determination and decision-making power.

Conversion Factors:

 Factors that affect an individual's ability to convert resources into valuable


functionings (e.g., personal characteristics, social context, environment).
 Include social, economic, and environmental influences.

Martha Nussbaum’s Central Capabilities

 Life: Living a complete and dignified life.


 Bodily Health: Access to nutrition, healthcare, and shelter..
 Life: The ability to live a normal lifespan without premature death.
 Bodily health: Access to adequate nutrition, healthcare, and physical well-being.
 Bodily integrity: Freedom from physical harm, violence, or violation of the body.
 Senses, imagination, and thought: Capacity for sensory experience, creativity,
and reasoning.
 Emotions: Ability to experience and express a range of emotions in a healthy
way.
 Practical reason: Capacity for reflection, planning, and making choices based
on one’s values.
 Affiliation: Ability to form relationships, engage in social life, and have a sense
of belonging.
 Other species: Ability to live in harmony with nature and interact with animals
and plants.
 Play: Opportunity for recreational activities and leisure that foster enjoyment and
creativity.
 Political and material control over one’s environment: Access to power and
resources to shape one’s surroundings and participate in decision-making.

You might also like