Understanding the Capability Approach: A Solution to Poverty
Imagine being unable to access essential healthcare, educational opportunities or even clean water. Sadly, this is the reality faced by millions of people living in poverty worldwide. In search of solutions, scholars have developed the Capability Approach, one of the most comprehensive approaches to poverty eradication. How does the Capability Approach work, and can it be an effective solution to poverty? In this article, we explore the Capability Approach and its potential to bring long-term positive change.
What Is the Capability Approach?
The Capability Approach is a concept developed by economists Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, which seeks to understand the multidimensional and complex nature of poverty. The Capability Approach doesn’t view poverty solely as a lack of income, but rather as a lack of opportunities to live a fulfilling life. It emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and agency, allowing people to pursue and achieve their goals.
The Capability Approach departs from traditional poverty measures, which often focus on income and consumption. Instead, it focuses on the capability to achieve certain life goals, such as accessing healthcare, education, and being able to live a dignified and fulfilling life.
How Does It Address Poverty?
The Capability Approach adopts the perspective that the capabilities and agency of individuals need to be recognized and enhanced. This approach prioritizes people’s well-being and recognizes that people have different aspirations, values and goals. Individuals should have the freedom and means to pursue goals which matter to them. For example, someone who is able to access healthcare can better pursue their life goals and aspirations.
The Capability Approach aims to address the root causes of poverty, by promoting and increasing capabilities within society. This is typically achieved through public policy interventions such as investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure development, and actions to address structural inequalities that limit people’s capabilities. These policies may take time to bear fruit, but they lead to long-lasting positive changes.
Examples of Capability Approach in Action
Several countries have adopted the Capability Approach to guide their public policies towards poverty alleviation. For instance, Bangladesh has improved access to clean drinking water, sanitation and education, resulting in a notable improvement in people’s access to the capabilities they need to live a fulfilling life. More recently, the Indian state of Kerala has adopted the Capability Approach successfully, with policies aimed at reducing poverty, providing better healthcare and education.
Conclusion
The Capability Approach is a comprehensive approach to poverty that is centered on people’s well-being, agency and freedom. It recognizes that poverty is not a lack of money alone, but a lack of opportunities to lead fulfilled lives. It emphasizes the importance of public policies interventions that aim to enhance the capabilities of individuals and invest in their potential. Although it may take a longer time to see the results, the Capability Approach provides a sustainable solution to address poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind.
