Understanding the Capability Approach: A Primer for Social Justice Advocates
The capability approach, developed by economist and philosopher Amartya Sen, has become increasingly popular in the field of social justice advocacy. This approach focuses on people’s capabilities to live lives they value rather than just on income or wealth. In this article, we’ll explore what the capability approach is, how it works, and how it can be applied to promote social justice.
What is the Capability Approach?
The capability approach is a framework for evaluating and addressing social inequalities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding people’s capabilities rather than just their socioeconomic status. Capabilities are defined as individuals’ freedom to choose the life they want to live and to pursue what they value. The capability approach gives us a tool to assess whether individuals and groups within society have the necessary resources and opportunities to lead lives they find valuable.
How Does the Capability Approach Work?
According to the capability approach, we should focus on what people are actually able to do and be, rather than on their income or other material possessions. The approach emphasizes the importance of evaluating individual’s capabilities by looking at their freedom to choose, rather than just their choices themselves. This approach requires us to take a broad view of the factors that impact individual capabilities, from gender and race to access to education and health care. Sen suggests that interventions aimed at promoting social justice should aim to expand people’s capabilities, focusing on enhancing their capabilities to lead lives that they find fulfilling.
Applying the Capability Approach to Social Justice
The capability approach can be applied to the field of social justice in a variety of ways. One important application is to recognize that social justice is not just about redistributing resources such as income or wealth but also about promoting individual capabilities. Individuals cannot fully participate in society and the economy if they lack the basic capabilities to do so. For example, if schools in a certain area lack the resources to provide high-quality education, students living in that area may lack the capability to pursue the career they aspire to. In turn, this lack of capability will limit their income and create further inequalities.
Another way the capability approach can be applied to social justice is by making sure that policies and programs aimed at promoting social justice do not further limit people’s capabilities. For example, policies that punish people for low income may limit their capability to live a fulfilling life, even more.
Finally, the capability approach can be applied to social justice by prioritizing the redistribution of power. This requires addressing systemic discrimination and oppression and improving the capabilities of marginalized groups, so they can fully participate in society and take part in decision-making processes.
Conclusion
The capability approach is a powerful tool for social justice advocates, providing a framework to evaluate individual’s capabilities to do and be, rather than just their income or other material possessions. It also helps to understand how social inequalities can limit people’s capabilities and, in turn, perpetuate further inequalities. By applying this approach, advocates can develop policies and programs that promote capabilities and enhance individual’s freedom to lead lives they find valuable.
