Collectives in Capabilities Approach

Brief

Sen’s Capabilities Approach (SCA) has given a new lens to plan and evaluate human development. But it is critiqued for being individualistic. Increasing literature in last decade suggests that Scholars are trying to understanding the importance of Collectives in SCA. This course explore collectives literature collaboratively with Development Professionals.

Introduction

Amartya Sen proposed Capabilities Approach (SCA) as a theoretical framework to welfare economics which focuses on the choices of individual’s in achieving the kind of lives, they have reason to value. It is a theoretical framework that entails two core normative claims: first, the claim that the freedom to achieve well-being is of primary moral importance, and second, that freedom to achieve well-being is to be understood in terms of people’s capabilities. He defines Capabilities as their “real opportunities to do and be” what they have reason to value. (The Capability Approach, 2011).

Capabilities Approach was critiqued for being individualistic, as it measures development in terms of an individual’s capabilities and achieved functionings, that is, ‘being and doing’. Many, including Sen himself, has recognized the importance of Social factors in listing capabilities, freedom to choose from them and finally achieving those as functioning. Academicians are trying to understand the role of Collectives in the Human Development, and there is a recent addition to literature, which demands careful attention, critical review and supporting empirical work.

I am glad to announce a series of sessions which will try to explore Collectives in SCA. It will primarily discuss concepts like Collective Capabilities, Collective Actions, Collective Agencies and Collective Functionings. These sessions will give a different lens to Development Practitioners who are specifically engaged in development projects including, but not limited to, poverty elevation, gender issues, sustainability, health & sanitation and education.

These sessions will follow Flipped-Classroom pedagogical approach where participants will be expected to do pre-work. It may involve a good amount of thought-provoking discussions, interactive activities, quizzes and a lot more. Participants will be expected to produce academic writing at the end of the course, which may get published in the peer-reviewed journals in human development and welfare economics.