It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Capability Approach. (Discuss)

The capability approach to social development, developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, emphasises functional capabilities ("substantial freedoms", such as the ability to live to old age, engage in economic transactions, or participate in political activities). Poverty is understood as capability-deprivation. It is noteworthy that the emphasis is not only on how human beings actually function but on their having the capability, which is a practical choice, to function in important ways if they so wish. Someone could be deprived of such capabilities in many ways, e.g. by ignorance, government oppression, lack of financial resources, or false consciousness. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Capability Approach is a philosophical framework developed by Amartya Sen for evaluating social states. ... Amartya Sen Dr Amartya Kumar Sen CH (Hon) (Bengali: অমর্ত্য সেন Ômorto Kumar Shen) (born November 3, 1933 in India), is an economist and a winner of the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences (sometimes referred to informally and incorrectly as the Nobel Prize for Economics) in 1998, for his work... Martha Nussbaum (born Martha Craven on May 6, 1947) is an American philosopher, with a particular interest in ancient philosophy, political philosophy and ethics. ...

This approach contrasts with a common view that sees development purely in terms of GNP growth, and poverty purely as income-deprivation.

External links

• Human Development and Capability Association