Measuring capabilities

Comim, Flávio

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511492587.007

Cited by 54 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In fact, the exacting informational demands the CA requires led critics to question its functionality in general (see Comim 2008b;Anand, Santos, and Smith 2009;Leßmann 2012). Moreover, the CA scholars' discomfort to rely on subjectively assessed information implies still less potentially useful measures.…”

Section: Previous Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Capability Deprivation and Life Satisfaction. Evidence from German Panel Data

Suppa

2015

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities

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This paper explores the link between poverty as capability deprivation and current life satisfaction. Using German panel data, I examine both whether capability deprivation reduces life satisfaction and whether individuals eventually adapt to these adverse conditions. Drawing on the capability approach, the constitutive elements of poverty are capability deprivations, which are located in the functioning space. As yet data on functionings often are lacking. Therefore, I explore the conditions and assumptions under which capability deprivation can be inferred from readily available consumption data. Specifically, to detect capability deprivation I draw on the notion of an inadequate income together with nonconsumption data of pivotal goods. The results indicate capability deprivation to reduce life satisfaction significantly. Moreover, the evidence also suggests that individuals fail to adapt within the subsequent four to six years. Finally, the mere lowness of income fails to capture its inadequacy.

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Section: Previous Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Capability Deprivation and Life Satisfaction. Evidence from German Panel Data

Suppa

2015

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities

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“…Both functionings and capabilities can be measured or assessed by looking at dimensions identified by researchers and others participating in public discussion with the poor and their formal and informal leaders 3 (Comim, 2008). Such dimensions could include intangible dimensions such as emotions (Goldin, 2011).…”

Section: Poverty As Capability Deprivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Deliberate Efforts to Realise Aspirations Increase Capabilities? A South African Case Study

Conradie¹

2013

Oxford Development Studies

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This paper takes up Appadurai's suggestion that aspirations could be used as a key to unlock development for people who are economically marginalised, and that their capabilities could be increased by this approach. The notion of "aspirations" is theoretically and conceptually framed, and then Amartya Sen's use of the term capabilities as the space within which development should be assessed is explored. I subsequently describe a five-year programme in which economically marginalised women in Khayelitsha near Cape Town were assisted in voicing and attempting to realise their aspirations, while being assisted with access to some resources. Capability outcomes and constraints are described and analysed, and the question of adaptive preferences is addressed. I conclude that deliberate efforts to realise aspirations, accompanied by some facilitation, can increase capabilities, but that there are also structural constraints to capability expansion for these women that frustrate their aspiration of class mobility.

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“…However, Sen's theoretical and empirical work provides a framework for moving forward here. Other recent attempts to measure capabilities include, for example, Comin (2008) and Anand et al (2009aAnand et al ( , 2009b). An emerging body of literature on the measurement of autonomy provides another relevant point of departure and our operationalization of the capability approach, discussed below, attempts to build on and enhance recent work in this area (for example, Alkire, 2005;Ibrahim and Alkire, 2007).…”

Section: Can the Capability Approach Be 'Operationalized' In Practice?mentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Operationalizing’ the Capability Approach as a Basis for Equality and Human Rights Monitoring in Twenty‐first‐century Britain

Burchardt

Vizard

2011

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities

119

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This article examines a new capability‐based measurement framework that has been developed as a basis for equality and human rights monitoring in twenty‐first‐century Britain. We explore the conceptual foundations of the framework and demonstrate its practical application for the purposes of monitoring equality (in terms of the distribution of substantive freedoms and opportunities among individuals and groups) and human rights (in terms of the achievement of substantive freedoms and opportunities below a minimum threshold) in England, Scotland and Wales. The article challenges the sceptical position by suggesting that ‘operationalizing’ the capability approach is both ‘feasible’ and ‘workable’. A new two‐stage procedure for deriving a capability list is proposed. This combines human rights and deliberative consultation and strikes a balance, we contend, between internationally recognized human rights standards and principles on the one hand, and direct deliberation/participation on the other, in the development and agreement of capability lists.Capabilities, Functionings, Treatment, Autonomy, Equality, Human rights, Indicator,

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Measuring capabilities

Cited by 54 publications

References 14 publications

Capability Deprivation and Life Satisfaction. Evidence from German Panel Data

Capability Deprivation and Life Satisfaction. Evidence from German Panel Data

Can Deliberate Efforts to Realise Aspirations Increase Capabilities? A South African Case Study

‘Operationalizing’ the Capability Approach as a Basis for Equality and Human Rights Monitoring in Twenty‐first‐century Britain

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