Capabilities and Happiness: Potential Synergies

Abstract

The paper compares two prominent approaches to assessing Human Well-Being, the Capability Approach and the Subjective Well-Being Approach. It investigates the differences and the similarities between these approaches. An argument is made for exploring the potential synergies between them. Finally, the papers of this special edition are briefly introduced.human well being, capability approach, subjective well-being, happiness, adaptive preferences,

Territorial Rooting as an Element of Well-Being

“…Such identity should be shared and, at least from time to time, in relation with the environment in which it was developed. The connection between individual capabilities and happiness has been discussed by Comim (2005). The relationship between rooting and well-being is even more complex as it represents a specific characteristic of identity.…”

Subjective Well-Being Capabilities: Bridging the Gap Between the Capability Approach and Subjective Well-Being Research

“…This question has come to the fore in recent years and scholars in both fields seem interested in bridging the gap between both approaches (see the introductions to two special issues and the respective special issues, i.e. van Hoorn et al, 2010;Comim, 2005). Capability scholars often include insights from subjective well-being research into their approach, e.g.…”

“…How subjective well-being views and the capability approach relate to each other has been discussed by scholars before (see, e.g. Comim, 2005, and other contributors to the special issue in the Review of Social Economy, 2005, as well as the special issue in the Journal of Socio-Economics, 39, 2010) and scholars in both fields tend to be sympathetic towards the other camp and stress the potential for "bridges to be built" (Anand et al, 2009, p. 137).…”

Does Capability Deprivation Hurt? – Evidence from German Panel Data

“…Second, the issue of adaptation is both of intrinsic interest and critical for linking the capabilities and the life satisfaction literature (cf. Comim (2005Comim ( , 2008a). To illustrate the latter: The life satisfaction literature involves the belief that subjective evaluations capture valid, reliable, and valuable information on the respondent's well-being.…”

“…Most studies focus on conceptual issues; see in particular Comim (2005Comim ( , 2008a, Schokkaert (2007a), but also the contributions in Bruni et al (2008). Among other things, this literature identified the adaptation issue as critical for linking the CA and the LSA.…”