Amartya Sen Development as Freedom vs. Martha Nussbaum Capabilities Approach

Attribute	Amartya Sen Development as Freedom	Martha Nussbaum Capabilities Approach
Focus	Freedom as the primary focus	Capabilities as the primary focus
Definition of Development	Development is the expansion of freedoms	Development is the expansion of capabilities
Measurement	Focuses on the opportunities available to individuals	Focuses on the actual capabilities that individuals have
Role of Agency	Emphasizes the importance of individual agency in achieving development	Recognizes the role of individual agency in realizing capabilities
Justice	Justice is seen as the expansion of freedoms for all individuals	Justice is seen as the realization of capabilities for all individuals

Introduction

Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum are two prominent philosophers who have made significant contributions to the field of development economics. Sen's Development as Freedom and Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach are two influential frameworks that have shaped the way we think about development and human well-being. While both approaches share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in their focus and emphasis.

Foundational Principles

Sen's Development as Freedom argues that development should be understood as the expansion of people's capabilities to lead the kind of lives they value. He emphasizes the importance of freedom as both a means and an end of development, highlighting the need for individuals to have the ability to make choices and pursue their own goals. Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach, on the other hand, focuses on the idea of capabilities as the central metric for assessing human well-being. She identifies a list of essential capabilities that all individuals should have in order to live a dignified life.

Focus on Agency

One key difference between Sen and Nussbaum's approaches is their focus on agency. Sen's framework places a strong emphasis on individual agency and the ability of people to make choices that are meaningful to them. He argues that development should be understood as the expansion of people's capabilities to choose and act in ways that they value. Nussbaum, on the other hand, is more concerned with the capabilities that individuals should have in order to live a good life, rather than the process of agency itself.

Capabilities vs. Functionings

Another important distinction between Sen and Nussbaum's approaches is their treatment of capabilities and functionings. Sen defines capabilities as the freedom to achieve valuable functionings, which are the various things that a person may value doing or being. He argues that development should be focused on expanding people's capabilities to achieve functionings that they value. Nussbaum, on the other hand, focuses on capabilities as the central metric for assessing human well-being, rather than functionings themselves.

Universal vs. Contextual

Sen's approach to development as freedom is more universal in nature, emphasizing the importance of individual agency and freedom in all contexts. He argues that development should be understood as the expansion of people's capabilities to lead the kind of lives they value, regardless of their cultural or social context. Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach, on the other hand, is more contextual, as it identifies a list of essential capabilities that all individuals should have in order to live a dignified life, which may vary depending on the specific context.

Policy Implications

Both Sen and Nussbaum's approaches have important implications for development policy. Sen's focus on individual agency and freedom suggests that policies should aim to expand people's capabilities to make choices and pursue their own goals. This may involve interventions to improve education, healthcare, and access to resources. Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach, on the other hand, suggests that policies should aim to ensure that all individuals have the essential capabilities necessary for a dignified life, such as education, healthcare, and political participation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Amartya Sen's Development as Freedom and Martha Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach are two influential frameworks that have shaped the way we think about development and human well-being. While both approaches share some similarities, such as their focus on capabilities and human flourishing, they also have distinct differences in their emphasis on agency, capabilities vs. functionings, and universal vs. contextual perspectives. Both frameworks have important implications for development policy and offer valuable insights into how we can promote human well-being and freedom.