Martha Nussbaum has recently argued that “the language of capabilities … gives important precision and supplementation … to the language of rights.” This claim raises the question whether the idea of capabilities, as she or as Amartya Sen has … movement. In this essay, I argue that the idea of capabilities is not useful in this way, because it cannot well capture the …

Capabilities and human rights are closely related and share common commitments to freedom and justice as central … extensively used in the human development and capabilities approach can overcome some of the constraints of conventional methods …

This paper emphasizes the importance of collectivities for human capabilities. Using the example of self-help, the … paper demonstrates how the poor can act together to expand and exercise new 'collective capabilities'. The paper argues that … individual capabilities and social structures. To incorporate this 'collective' dimension within the CA, the paper re …

This paper proposes an alternative understanding of Sen's Capabilities Approach that views capabilities as constantly …

The capabilities approach has consistently promoted literacy as an important social entitlement, a key determinant of … Programme Human Development Reports. Nevertheless, as Martha Nussbaum highlights, adult literacy statistics are a pervasive … provided by the Capabilities Approach, and the distinctive rationale that it provides for supporting adult literacy programmes …

The two concepts — human rights and capabilities — go well with each other, so long as we do not try to subsume either … capabilities. However, human rights to important process freedoms cannot be adequately analysed within the capability framework …. Furthermore, both human rights and capabilities have to depend on the process of public reasoning. The methodology of public …

Nussbaum's capabilities approach is based on a universalistic account of central human functionings. She claims that if … squatter settlements of Istanbul. By going through Nussbaum's list of central human capabilities, I elaborate their relevance … central human capabilities are located within a particular kind of political liberalism, then they can become specific …

is more effective in preserving or enhancing valuable capabilities. Thus development can be democratically dysfunctional …

identify forms an important direct contribution to their well-being, is instrumental to other capabilities, and influences … empowering and enriching groups among the poor. The paper concludes that one should analyse and categorise group capabilities as … well as individual capabilities. While capabilities are beings and doings of individuals in the capability approach, groups …