Introduction to Capability Approach

Introduction to the Capability Approach

Overview of the Session

• This session focuses on ethical and normative decisions, introducing Amartya Sen's capability approach, which may be familiar to some participants but new to others.

• The aim is to provide a basic understanding of the capability approach within an hour, allowing participants to confidently reference it in future discussions.

Importance of Normative Issues

• There has been significant interest in discussing normative issues related to values and authenticity in professional work, particularly in measurement and analysis.

• A quote from Oscar Wilde highlights the challenge of authenticity in expressing personal values: "Most people are other people; their thoughts are someone else's opinions."

The Capability Approach as a Framework

Key Paradigm for Development

• The capability approach serves as a key paradigm for both academic studies and international organizations, emphasizing authentic discussions about values.

• It aims to define terms clearly due to its philosophical roots, drawing on Aristotle's Greek terminology.

Measuring Capabilities vs. Resources

• The decision between measuring capabilities and functionings versus resources or utility is crucial when building poverty measures. This distinction will be explored further throughout the session.

Application of the Capability Approach

Global Reports Utilizing the Approach

• Recent reports such as the World Development Report on gender by the World Bank cite Sen’s definition of development as expanding freedoms for all people. This aligns with gender priorities highlighted by Sen himself.

• The OECD's 2013 report on ending poverty also draws from Sen’s work, focusing on what deprived communities value and aspire to achieve collectively.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Various reports during the formulation of SDGs referenced Sen’s capability approach, defining well-being as freedom and capability across multiple dimensions including health, education, nutrition, security, participation, voice, and rights claiming.

Historical Context and Influence

Rethinking Economic Measures

• In 2009, President Sarkozy organized a commission aimed at rethinking GDP statistics alongside environmental concerns and quality-of-life measures led by Nobel laureates Stiglitz and Jasanoff due to declining public trust in economic statistics reflecting real life experiences.

Human Development Report Insights

• The 2010 Human Development Report published by UNDP reviewed concepts incorporated into previous reports while articulating a synthetic concept that emphasizes human development through expanded freedoms across various dimensions like health and creativity while recognizing planetary limits.

Defining Development Through Capabilities

Understanding Development

• According to Sen's framework presented with John Glaeser in "Uncertain Glory," development is defined as an expansion of people's basic freedoms or human capabilities rather than mere economic growth metrics like GDP per capita or political participation alone.

Prioritizing Human Flourishing

• Emphasizing that economic growth should serve human flourishing rather than being an end goal itself reflects Kantian philosophy where individuals' lives take precedence over mere economic outputs.

Evolution of Justice Concepts

Equality Across Different Dimensions

• In his 1979 article "Equality of What?", Sen argues that theories of justice must consider equality not just in resources but also through functionings—what individuals can actually do or be based on their capabilities rather than just material wealth alone.

Historical Influences

• His ideas gained traction during shifts towards focusing on basic needs post-Reagan-Thatcher era when welfare economics began prioritizing individual flourishing over simplistic growth metrics.

Key Textual Contributions

Foundational Works

• Important texts include "Commodities and Capabilities" (1984), which introduces core concepts; "Development as Freedom" (1999), which attempts accessibility; along with collaborative works with Martha Nussbaum exploring quality-of-life measurements relevant for understanding capabilities within poverty contexts.

Ongoing Academic Engagement

• The Human Development & Capability Association fosters ongoing scholarly dialogue around these themes annually involving diverse groups focused on quantitative methods among other topics relevant for advancing this field further.

Personal Background Influencing Work

Amartya Sen's Early Life Experiences

• Born in Dhaka (1933), educated under Tagore’s influence amidst witnessing famine shaped his focus on social justice issues reflected later through his academic pursuits addressing identity politics alongside poverty alleviation strategies.

Continued Relevance Today

• At age 82 still actively teaching at Harvard while preparing new publications indicates ongoing contributions toward collective choice frameworks essential for contemporary discourse surrounding social welfare policies today.

Features of the Capability Approach

Core Principles Defined

• Focuses intrinsically valuing human well-being beyond mere resource allocation recognizing active agency among individuals pursuing diverse goals reflective upon their unique circumstances instead maximizing solely economic gain.

Ethical Considerations Included

• Explicitly incorporates moral questions regarding justice principles into analyses acknowledging diversity among populations complicating straightforward poverty measurements yet enriching overall understanding necessary for effective policy-making moving forward.

Understanding Adaptive Preferences and Functionings

The Importance of Functionings

• Sen emphasizes that while happiness is valuable, lacking certain functionings necessitates their provision, highlighting the distinction between resources and actual capabilities.

• The complexity of human lives means that frameworks like Sen's must consider social contexts, family influences, and early childhood experiences in shaping preferences.

Indicators of Functionings

• Questions arise about what constitutes direct indicators of functionings; for instance, income is a resource but not a direct measure of functioning.

• Years of schooling can be seen as both a functioning and an indicator; however, the quality of education is crucial to understanding its true value.

Capabilities vs. Resources

Measuring Health and Well-being

• Anthropometric measures like BMI are often used as indicators of functioning since they directly reflect physical health status.

• Satisfaction with health serves as another utility measure, linking capability to personal well-being.

Freedom to Function

• Sen distinguishes between two types of freedom: the capability to achieve functionings and the process by which individuals act on their values.

• Real freedom involves tangible opportunities rather than mere theoretical options; having choices must also include valuing those choices.

The Nature of Choices

Quality Over Quantity in Options

• More choices can lead to confusion rather than empowerment; thus, it's essential that each option holds intrinsic value.

• Sen critiques simplistic mathematical formulations that equate more options with greater freedom without considering their quality or relevance.

Agency in Action

• True agency involves acting on behalf of others' well-being, illustrating how personal sacrifice can conflict with individual interests yet still represent meaningful action.

Values in Capability Approach

Intersection of Valued Preferences

• The capability approach focuses on what people value alongside societal judgments about reasonable values; this intersection shapes discussions around poverty measurement.

Respecting Diverse Values

• Acknowledging existing preferences within diverse societies is crucial when discussing what should be valued versus what individuals currently value.

Engaging with Communities

Learning from Local Expertise

• Experts must engage with communities to understand local contexts better; firsthand experience can reshape academic perspectives on issues like famine.

Public Discontent and Measurement Implications

• Observing public dissatisfaction provides insights into societal needs beyond traditional economic metrics like GDP per capita.

Practical Applications of Capability Approach

Family Discussions on Functionings

• Families can apply the capability approach by identifying important functions collectively and reflecting on individual well-being over time.

Measurement Considerations

• When measuring poverty, it’s vital to blend resources with subjective indicators while considering demographic diversity for accurate assessments.