Talk:Capability approach

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Name of the Article

Why is this article called the "Capability approach"? Shouldn't it be called the "Capabilities Approach", i.e. with a plural on the first word and a capital 'A' on the second? ChristopherHoney (talk) 04:51, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, OK, I've had a bit more of a look around and it seems as if both terms are used. I think (although I'm not sure) that Nussbaum uses 'capabilities' and Sen uses 'capability' ... so I guess we could just leave it as is. ChristopherHoney (talk) 18:02, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Redirection

I think this article should be redirected to Capability Approach, wich has a better definition. Or they are different concepts? --Nitro31 06:02, 26 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The concept is the same, but naming conventions dictate that the other page be merged into this one. Jlittlet 23:31, 13 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Practical Application

As both Nussbaum and Sen are vigorous proponents of theory as connected to practical utility, this article should include how, if at all, the capabilities approach has been instantiated to improve living conditions in developing countries. Does the UN, World Bank, or IMF adopt the capabilities approach as a system of measurement? --Tom Joudrey 19:20, 14 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Article format

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like this article is not written like an encyclopedic article? ie the titles of the sections... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.190.213.27 (talk) 07:29, 12 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's not just you. "What capabilities matter?" is an appalling title, better suited to a textbook written by the proponents of this approach. JATreloar 62.140.194.189 (talk) 13:41, 7 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Capabilities approach as a theory of justice?

Is it right to call the capabilities approach a theory of justice? Or is it not expansive enough to get that label? Dlb012 (talk) 19:23, 2 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Expansion of the Article

After spending time studying the Capability approach, it came to my attention that this Wikipedia article could use a more comprehensive explanation. I believe some key elements it’s lacking are: a detailed explanation of the approach’s main terms, in order to better understand the concepts behind it, and a comparison of this approach to other more common approaches to welfare economics, to understand what sets this approach apart. Consequently, I have included sections defining the following terms: functionings, capabilities, and agency. Additionally, I discuss the Capability approach in comparison to utility and resource based approaches. Comments are appreciated. Krisinaz (talk) 20:55, 3 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

In addition to contrasting the Capability approach to utility and resources, I think it would be useful to contrast it with other forms of people-centered development ideas, such human rights, human needs, and basic security. One source for contrasting these ideas is Chapter 3 of An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach. On the surface, many of these ideas seem very similar to one another, but important distinctions between them must be made. Understanding these distinctions would prove very useful for one trying to understand the Capability approach. KiaraDouds (talk) 18:13, 19 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Addition of a New Section

In studying the capability approach I feel it would be very useful to also discuss a little bit of the postcolonialist critiques. This would provide the readers of a more comprehensive view of the academic discourse surrounding the capability approach and welfare economics in general. Also, there seems to be a lot of substantial communication between Nussbaum and her postcolonialist colleagues in the articles I've read so far, and I would like to make that conversation more accessible to the public. In the articles I have read, this discussion has mainly pertained to debates over universal ethics vs. moral relativism, although I will search for more. I feel like this new addition would give a lot of credibility to the encyclopedic entry of the capability approach, and give more depth to the article in general. If you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to let me know. Jkcory (talk) 22:21, 31 March 2011 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.42.82.196 (talk) [reply]

Suggestions on Revising the Page

There are some parts of this Capability Approach page that are not properly cited. For example. the section on "What capabilities matter" is mostly not cited. Although the article is referenced within the text, it does not have proper Wikipedia citing. Also on the section called "contrast with other approaches" I think that there should be an addition of a subsection about GDP and neoliberal approaches, which are significantly discussed often in articles about the capability approach and how these two approaches and capability approach differ. Also, I would suggest the subsection titles to be "Utilitarian Approach" and "Basic Needs Approach" instead of the " Contrast with _____". The subsection titles seem redundant with the "contrast" in them. If you have any questions as to what I've said, please let me know. --Yk12 (talk) 00:00, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sen v. Nussbaum

I think there needs to be a distinction between the work of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, namely the identification of Sen's work as freedoms-oriented and Nussbaum's work as more concerned with spelling out specific capabilities. I think both need to have their own separate headings with clear explanation of how their work differs from as well as contributes to the others. The steps in how Sen and Nussbaum worked together to develop this approach need to be made clear as well. Lillyyu (talk) 00:13, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I agree; there are pretty big differences in Nussbaum's and Sen's thinking. I think the whole article would be a little clearer and sound less like original research if this distinction was made more apparent. Jkcory (talk) 14:15, 01 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Measuring of Capabilities

I think the part of this article that discusses measuring of capabilities can be expanded. One of the main points that the capabilities approach aims to make is that GDP and GNP are both inadequate measures of development and well-being in a given country. To that end, some new modes of measurement have evolved such as the HDI (Human Development Index), the GDI (Gender Development Index) , and the GEM (Gender Empowerment Index). I think that this article could use an explanation of each of these measuring mechanisms and a description of their strengths and weaknesses. FaithSara (talk) 16:19, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Plans for Expansion

I would like to expand this section to discuss the shortcomings of the GNP and GDP, and give a brief overview of some other alternative indices such as the GEM, the HDI and the GDI. Furthermore i would like to include links to the main pages for these various measurement indices as a way to connect this page to other relevant pages on these measurements which will allow the reader to expand their knowledge on these topics beyond the brief over-views provided here.FaithSara (talk) 17:36, 12 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Proposal for Further Expansion

Template:WAP assignment I would also like to add to this section of the article, I understand that there has been a proposal to expand on this article so I would like to somehow collaborate so that we do not overlap each other or if additions and changes have already been made, I would like to further contribute. As indicated above, the current section needs further explanation for the critique offered by Capabilities Approach of economics-based measures that are used as measures of well-being. These indices, in fact, only offer an indication of possible economic well being that do not account for inequalities such as income distribution. There is quite a bit to be added about the need for such measures and the history behind such measures, which would include the misuse of Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product. Further expansion is also necessary on the move towards alternative measure of wellbeing that better capture the essence of Capabilities. In addition, more information needs to be added because the critique of economics-based measures is an important component of Capabilities Approach. Furthermore, the explanations of the Human Development Index, Gender Empowerment Measure, and the Gender-related Development Index are brief and there is potential to make the definitions of these measures as well as the use of the measures and the relationship with Capabilities Approach more clear. I would appreciate any feedback and look forward to contributing. LupeAguilera (talk) 02:34, 20 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]