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17 - Capability, Opportunity, Outcome and Equality

from Part II - Methods, Measurement and Empirical Evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2020

By
Ravi Kanbur
Edited by
Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti ,
Siddiqur Osmani  and
Mozaffar Qizilbash
Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti
Affiliation:
University of Pavia
Siddiqur Osmani
Affiliation:
Ulster University
Mozaffar Qizilbash
Affiliation:
University of York
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Summary

Two fundamental attributes of the capability approach are: (1) a broadening of the evaluation space from the instrumental means such as income to the intrinsic ends of beings and doings, or functionings; and (2) the further broadening of evaluation from achievement of ends to opportunity to achieve those ends — from functionings to capabilities. This chapter accepts the first broadening, but presents a critique of the opportunity perspective in capability theory, using as a platform a critique of recent work on inequality of opportunity. The chapter argues that similar critiques of concept and empirical application apply to capability analysis as an analysis and an evaluation of opportunity. Perhaps for this reason, much of the practical implementation of capability theory ends up by in fact focusing on outcomes in functionings space, with only a loose link to opportunity.

Keywords

capabilitiesfunctioningsequality of outcomesequality of opportunityMultidimensional Poverty Index
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of the Capability Approach , pp. 333 - 346
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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