Capabilities Approach
Strengths of the Capabilities Approach according to Robyens (2003).
(1) Emphasis on personal well-being and individualistic functionings/capabilities. Functionings and capabilities belong to the individual (Robeyns, 2003). (2) inclusiveness (Robeyns, 2003). Sen's framework intrinsically acknowledges the importance of diversity within the realm of development.
Key components of the Capabilities Approach
(1) Functionings, (2) freedoms, and (3) capabilities.
Operationalizing the Capabilities Approach according to Nussbaum (1997, 1999, 2000).
Nussbaum (1997, 1999, 2000) argues that capabilities are akin to entitlements. In short, the concepts espoused by the Capabilities Approach, the removal of various obstacles to freedom to allow for functionings, are the same concepts as inalienable human rights under the law.
The foundational concept of the Capabilities Approach (Robeyns, 2005).
The foundational concept of the Capabilities Approach of International Development is giving people the freedom to be and pursue the activities they value and have reason to value (Robeyns, 2005).
International Development defined, according to Sen.
"a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy" (Sen, 1999, p. 3).
Dubois & Trani, 2009 defining disability.
A disability is "a lack of capability, due to restriction in the range of opportunities available in a given context" (Dubois & Trani, 2009
The Capabilities Approach as a paradigm, according to Alkire (2003)
Alkire (2003) posits that the Capabilities Approach has enough promise to become a paradigm within the realm of international development.
Means and ends with functionings.
Although individuals may possess similar functionings (the beings and doings a person values or has reason to value), the end goal may be achieved differently from one person to the next (the means).
Strengths of the Capabilities Approach according to Alkire, 2002a; Clark, 2005a; Nussbaum, 2011; Sen, 1999.
Approach is relatable to as many frameworks and disciplines as possible, Sen does not provide a definitive list of capabilities, so individuals can select the capability list themselves, weighing each capability based on their personal value judgments as well as societal influences (Clark, 2006).
Entitlements, as defined by Nussbaum
Basic guarantees to citizens, such as "political liberties, the freedom of association, the free choice of occupation, and a variety of economic and social rights" (Nusbaum, 2003, p. 36).
Sen's distinct freedoms (1999)
political freedoms, economic facilities, social opportunities, transparency guarantees, and protective security.
Challenges to operationalizing the Capabilities Approach according to Sen, 1992.
Sen (1992, p. 52) understood that creating appropriate measurements may become an issue to operationalization because of the nebulous nature of capabilities.
Criticism of the Capabilities Approach according to Sugden (1993).
Sugden argues the breadth and multi-dimensional aspect prevents the Capabilities Approach from possessing practical and operational significance within international development (Sugden, 1993).
Capabilities as defined by Alkire (2005).
The real actual possibilities open to a person. Capabilities range in complexity from requirements necessary for survival to the advanced such as obtaining a doctorate. Each has the same goal of improving well-being.
Beings and doings to establish the good life. Greco, Skordis-Worrall, Mkandawire, and Mills (2015)
• Physical strength o Being able to do physical work o Having enough food to eat o Being able to avoid diseases o Being able to space births • Inner wellbeing o Having peace of mind o Having control over personal matters o Being free from oppression o Living without shame o Having knowledge o Having good conduct • Household wellbeing o Living free from domestic violence o Having control over money o Living in a decent house o Being able to take care of children and husband o Being able to educate the children • Community relations o Feeling safe and comfortable in the village o Being able to join community groups o Avoiding social exclusion and discrimination o Being respected o Being able to access services • Economic security o Owning assets o Being able to access business opportunities o Being able to rely on safety nets o Being able to cope with shocks • Happiness o Being satisfied with life o Being happy
Dubois and Trani (2009) analytical approach using the Capabilities Approach and disability.
1. Estimate a person with a disability's freedoms and functionings. 2. A comparative analysis of people with and without disabilities concerning their achievements and freedoms to achieve. 3. Monitor any changes in the condition of individuals living with a disability (Dubois & Trani, 2009).
The 10 Central Capabilities (Nussabum, 2011).
1. Life; 2. Bodily health; 3. Bodily integrity; 4. Sense, imagination, and thought; 5. Emotions; 6. Practical reason; 7. Affiliation; 8. Other species; 9. Play; 10. Control over one's environment (political and material). But what gives Nussbaum the right to provide these Central Capabilities?
Steps to operationalize the Capabilities Approach, according to Comin (2001).
1. Theoretical inclusion: elaborate theoretical concepts with potential empirical significance. 2. Measurement: transforming theoretical concepts into empirical variables. 3. Application: use variables in qual empirical analysis; 4. Quantification: use variables in quant empirical analysis.
Beings and doings, defined (Alkire, 2002a; Robeyns, 2011; Sen, 1999).
Beings are physiological conditions or states of mind while doings refer to activities (Robeyns, 2011).
Three different types of conversion factors (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Conversion factors are often placed into three groups: personal conversion factors, social conversion factors, and environmental conversion factors (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Terizi (2005) and reframing the concept of disability in education through the Capabilities Approach
Current understanding of special needs is based on two factors, one's individual factors and social factors around person. Suggested utilizing CA to re-conceptualize special needs according to individualistic aspects of CA and social arrangements and responsibilities society has to the individual.
Conversion Factors - Robeyns, 2005
Defined as the "degree in which a person can transform a resource into a functioning" - Robeyns, 2005
Environmental conversion factors (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Environmental conversion factors describe the physical environment where an individual resides (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
McLean and Walker (2012) and applying the Capabilities Approach in higher education in South Africa.
Explored how capabilities and human development relate to professional education in South African Universities. They created the Public-Good Professional Education Index to generate theory and empirical data. Used data collected through interviews to create a professional capabilities index.
How did Greco, Skordis-Worrall, Mkandawire, and Mills (2015) utilize the Capabilities Approach to assess the quality of life for women in rural Malawi?
Findings portray the complex notion of women concerning life and well-being. Assessed well-being thru developing a quality of life measure by selecting relevant capabilities for "someone living a 'good life' as one that enjoys different states of 'beings and doings'".
Functioning, according to Frediani (2010).
Frediani (2010) classifies functionings as "achievements" that a person manages to do or be in life, thus reflecting who an individual is as a person.
Functioning defined - Robins, 2005.
Functionings are defined as the actions and activities people value and have reason to value within the context of societal norms (Robeyns, 2005). Functionings are thus subjective and may differ from person-to-person and society-to-society. The beings and doings.
Criticism of the Capabilities Approach according to Robyens (2003).
If the Capabilities Approach is pared with a deficient framework, one that is sexist, racist, or otherwise biased, capability evaluation will be accordingly affected.
How did Kinghorn, Robinson, and Smith (2015) operationalize the Capabilities Approach in the health discipline?
Kinghorn, Robinson, and Smith (2015) operationalized the Capabilities Approach in the health discipline. The authors utilized the Capabilities Approach in the area of chronic pain to identify the capabilities restricted by their chronic pain (Kinghorn, Robinson, & Smith, 2015).
Process freedoms, as defined by Sen (1999).
One's ability to act according to what matters to an individual, and whether such freedom actually exist in society (Sen, 1999). May take the form of political institutions, movements and democratic practices; focus is on processes that promote political discourse (Alkire, 2011).
Opportunity freedoms, as defined by Sen (1999).
One's real opportunity to achieve a valued functioning, based on societal norms and culture (Sen, 1999; Alkire, 2011).
The definition of operationalizing according to Alkire, 2001 and Comim, 2001).
Operationalization is the process of transforming a theory or hypothesis and adding enough specifics to the theory so it can be applied in a discipline to be utilized in the field and obtain practical value (Alkire, 2001; Comim, 2001).
Theoretical considerations when operationalizing Capabilities Approach according to Comin (2001).
Practitioners must understand that the diversity of the world's population may change the implications of the approach (functionings, freedoms, capabilities) from person-to-person, society-to-society and culture-to-culture (Comim, 2001).
End goal of functionings, according to Robyens (2005)
The end goal is for individuals to possess the requisite amount of freedoms to live the lives they envision, value, and have reason to value (Robeyns, 2005).
Two types of freedom, according to Sen (1999).
Process freedoms and opportunity freedoms. Freedom is only possible if a process exists to allow for actions and decisions and if people are given actual opportunities to exercise those freedoms (Sen, 1999).
Freedoms, as viewed by Sen (1999).
Real opportunities for an individual to pursue and achieve what he or she values and has reason to value (Alkire, 2002a; Sen, 1992, 1999), ultimately improving one's well-being (Sen, 1999).
Strengths of the Capabilities Approach according to Sen (1999).
Sen (1999) advocates that the approach is well suited to find solutions for novel challenges, and does not require a consensus amongst industry experts in order to succeed.
Social conversion factors (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Social conversion factors are aspects of life dictated by society (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Operationalizing the Capabilities Approach and incompleteness Alkire, 2001, 2002a, 2003; Comim, Qizilbash & Alkire, 2008.
The Capabilities Approach is intentionally incomplete to be more easily adaptable to other disciplines (Alkire, 2001, 2002a, 2003; Comim, Qizilbash & Alkire, 2008).
Agency, according to Sen (1999).
The ability to act upon one's functionings (what we value and have reason to value). It is a central aspect of development.
Central process of development (Sen, 1999)
The ability to act upon one's functionings, the agency aspect of the Capabilities Approach, is a central process of development.
Criticism of the Capabilities Approach according to Gasper, 2007.
The approach is ambiguous, which can make applying and operationalizing it difficult (see Gasper, 2007). Thus, a practitioner seeking to utilize the Capabilities Approach may not understand a number of the concepts.
Strengths of the Capabilities Approach according to Clark (2005a and 2005b).
The approach's flexibility and adaptability to different fields (Clark, 2005a, 2005b). By providing a framework that lends itself to adaptation across many disciplines, researchers can build upon the Capabilities Approach and apply it in different ways to different disciplines (Clark, 2005a, 2005b).
Greco, Skordis-Worrall, Mkandawire, and Mills (2015)
The authors also noted that the results from their study aligned with many of Nussbaum's central capabilities (Greco et al., 2015; Nussbaum, 2003).
Unfreedoms, as defined by Sen (1999)
The major obstacles that leave people without a meaningful choice.
Results of Dubois and Trani (2009) in Capabilities and disability.
Their analysis illustrated a "clear distinction between the situation of men and women in regard to basic capabilities in Afghanistan," with positive traits clustering around men and negative traits clustering around women (Dubois & Trani, 2009, p. 207).
Level of completeness for operationalizing the Capabilities Approach according to Alkire (2003) and Sen (1999).
There is no need for all aspects of an approach to become clear before a practitioner can begin applying the Capabilities Approach to another discipline.
Greco, Skordis-Worrall, Mkandawire, and Mills (2015)
This study illustrated how the Capabilities Approach may be operationalized to include indicators for well-being that measure quality of life, which could be used as the basis for generating survey data in the future.
Personal conversion factors (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Those conversion factors inherent in a person such as one's metabolism, physical condition, gender, reading skill, or intelligence (Robeyns, 2005, 2011).
Goal of the Capabilities Approach
To leverage a resource and a capability, defined as the actual possibility to utilize resources, into a functioning to work toward achieving well-being.
According to Nussbaum, 1997, 1999, 2000, entitlements are _____
Universal indicators of well-being
The Capabilities Approach, according to Nussbaum
Views the Capabilities Approach through a gender, human rights, and social justice lens. According to Nussbaum, the Capabilities Approach of International Development identifies the fundamental entitlements that each person as a human cannot be deprived of (Nussbaum, 1997, 2003, 2011).
Dubois and Trani (2009) and applying the Capabilities Approach to disability as a way of assessing an individual's capability using a case study.
Were able to use case study data from Afghan households as part of randomly selected national disability survey that measured detailed capabilities & focused on freedom dimensions to create models addressing disability research based on the Capabilities Approach.
