The capability approach Human development the expansion of

The capability approach

Human development: ‘ the expansion of people’s freedoms to live long, healthy and creative lives; to advance other goals they have reason to value; and to engage actively in shaping development equitably and sustainably on a shared planet’ (Sen, 1999; Sen, 2000).

Capability and Functionings Functioning Capability “What is this person able to do and to be? ” ‘various things a person may value doing a freedom to achieve various or being’ functionings Actual opportunities Future-oriented ( Sen, 1999)

Martha Nussbaum

Capabilities and Functionings Internal capabilities Combines capabilities ‘People’s skills and personality traits’ Internal capabilities + political, social, economic conditions (Nussbaum, 2011)

Nussbaum’s 10 Sets of Capabilities 1) life; 2) bodily health; 3) bodily integrity; 4) senses, imagination and thought; 5) emotions; 6) practical reason: ‘Being able to form a conception of the good and to engage in critical reflection about the planning of one’s life’ 7) affiliation: ‘Being able to live with and towards others, to recognise and show concern for other human beings, to engage in various forms of social interaction, to be able to imagine the situation of another’ 8) other species; 9) play; 10) control over one’s environment (Nussbaum, 2001; Nussbaum, 2011)

Capability Approach to Human Development • Individuals <=> societies • Goals and means • Actual and realised achievements

‘various things a person may value doing or being’ ‘capabilities are objects of values’ e. g. , the capability to play is a manifestation of the value of enjoyment. (Qizilbach , 2002) ‘values are what allow people to prioritise capabilities’ (Alkire & Deneulin, 2009).

Functionings are beings and doings Finctioning are beings and doings that people value Functionings are beings and doings that people have a reason to value What people have a reason to value Capabilities

What are values ‘values are the ideals that give significance to our lives, that are reflected through the priorities we choose, and that we act on consistently and repeatedly’. (Hall , 1995)

human development offers a ‘space to discuss the issue of values, to question them and to dialogue around them’ ‘development by the people of the people and for the people’ (Alkire, 2010)