New Frontiers of the Capability Approach

Leading scholars from a range of disciplines come together in an inclusive discussion of the latest techniques and issues examined by the capability approach.

Flavio Comim (Edited by), Shailaja Fennell (Edited by), P. B. Anand (Edited by)

9781108448185, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 June 2021

670 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 3.6 cm, 0.985 kg

'The capabilities approach (CA), and its associated insistence on understanding poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon, is now an established field of scholarship and practice in international development. By simultaneously striving to fortify its theoretical foundations, methodological instruments and policy applications, those extending the pioneering contributions of CA’s famous founders now preside over a sophisticated, mature and fruitful body of work. This volume amply showcases both the breadth and depth of these efforts, manifest in an array of countries and sectors.' Michael Woolcock, World Bank and Harvard University, Massachusetts

For over three decades, the capability approach proposed and developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum has had a distinct impact on development theories and approaches because it goes beyond an economic conception of development and engages with the normative aspects of development. This book explores the new frontiers of the capability approach and its links to human development in three main areas. First, it delves into the philosophical foundations of the approach, re-examining its links to concepts of common good, collective agency and epistemic diversity. Secondly, it addresses its 'operational frontier', aiming to give inclusive explanations of some of the most advanced methods available for capability researchers. Thirdly, it offers a wide range of the applications of this approach, as carried out by a mix of renowned capability scholars and researchers from different disciplines. This broad interdisciplinary range includes the areas of human and sustainable development, inequalities, labour markets, education, special needs, cities, urban planning, housing, social capital and happiness studies, among others.

Introduction Flavio Comim, Shailaja Fennell and P. B. Anand
1. Key-note chapter: on Sen on the capability of capabilities: the story of a not-for-profit enterprise J. G. Meeks
Part I. The Need for New Foundations: 2. Capabilities and the common good Jonathan Warner
3. Measuring the meta-capability of agency: theoretical basis for creating a responsibility indicator Mathias Nebel and Maria-Teresa Herrera-Nebel
4. Equal liberty, reflective equilibrium and education: defending Rawls from Sen's criticisms Caroline Souza and Gabriel Goldmeier
5. On epistemic diversity, ontologies and assumptions in capability approaches Josh Platzky Miller
6. Collective agency capability: how capabilities can emerge in a social moment Razia Shariff
Part II. The Operationalisation Frontier: 7. Sen's capability approach, social choice theory and the use of rankings Flavio Comim
8. Selecting capabilities for development: an evaluation of proposed methods Morten Byskov
9. From resources to functioning: rethinking and measuring conversion rates Enrica Chiappero, Paola Salardi and Francesco Scervini
10. Demystifying the use of simultaneous equation models for operationalising the capability approach Jaya Krishnakumar and Ricardo Nogales
Part III. The Application Frontier: 11. Human development in India – comparing Sen and his competitors Des Gasper
12. Sustainable human development measurement issues: a new proposal Mario Biggeri and Vicenzo Mauro
13. Inequality and capabilities: a multidimensional empirical exploration in Chile Macarena Orchard and Martina Yopo
14. Living wages in international supply chains and the capability approach: towards a conceptual framework Stephanie Schrage and Kristin Huber
15. For a happy human development Tadashi Hirai
16. Capability of capabilities and aspirations of the middle classes in India Meera Tiwari
17. The value individual and community social resources Paul Anand
Part IV. The Housing and Urban Frontier: 18. Tracking the transition from 'basic needs' to 'capabilities' for human-centred development: the role of housing in urban inclusion Shailaja Fennell, Jaime Royo-Olid and Matthew Barac
19. Building regulations through the capability lens: for safer and inclusive built environment? Prachi Acharya
20. Cities and the capability approach P. B. Anand
Part V. The Education Frontier: 21. Formal education, well-being and aspirations
a capability based analysis on high school pupils from France Robin Vos and Jérôme Ballet
22. Other people's adaptations: teaching children with special educational needs to adapt and to aspire Cristina Devecchi and Michael Watts
23. Expanding children's capabilities at the writers' workshop Helena Kiff
Education and 'the capability approach Caroline Hart.

Subject Areas: Welfare economics [KCR], Health economics [KCQ], Development economics & emerging economies [KCM], Labour economics [KCF], Economic theory & philosophy [KCA], Economics [KC]