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Development as freedom: taking economics beyond commodities-the cautious boldness of Amartya Sen

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  • Des Gasper

    (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands)

Abstract

Amartya Sen's 1998 Nobel Prize and his recent synthesis of his views in Development as Freedom provide an opportunity to assess his intellectual contribution and style. The paper identifies entitlements analysis and capabilities analysis as the areas which make him stand out for wider audiences from the economists of his generation; and considers the integrative development philosophy which he has constructed around those two areas, centring on the direct and instrumental values of freedom and democracy. Three aspects of Sen's intellectual style are discussed: first, his multi-disciplinarity and fruitful balance between vivid cases, formal theorizing, and policy relevance; second, a preference for gentle persuasion, seen in adoption of evocative but ambiguous, politically safe labels and an avoidance of seeking debate on all fronts (e.g. concerning hyper affluence); third, a continuing project to debate with and influence economists, and hence, while upgrading parts of their inadequate picture of persons, retention of other parts. His capability approach lends itself however to enrichment by deeper analyses of human agency. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Des Gasper, 2000. "Development as freedom: taking economics beyond commodities-the cautious boldness of Amartya Sen," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(7), pages 989-1001.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:12:y:2000:i:7:p:989-1001
    DOI: 10.1002/1099-1328(200010)12:7<989::AID-JID724>3.0.CO;2-Q
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ananta Kumar Giri, 2000. "Rethinking human well-being: a dialogue with Amartya Sen," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(7), pages 1003-1018.
    2. Des Gasper, 1993. "Entitlements Analysis: Relating Concepts and Contexts," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 24(4), pages 679-718, October.
    3. Mozaffar Qizilbash, 1997. "A weakness of the capability approach with respect to gender justice," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(2), pages 251-262.
    4. Gasper, D.R., 1993. "Entitlements analysis : relating concepts and contexts," ISS Working Papers - General Series 18849, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    5. Des Gasper, 2000. "Anecdotes, Situations, Histories — Varieties and Uses of Cases in Thinking about Ethics and Development Practice," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 31(5), pages 1055-1083, November.
    6. Raff Carmen, 2000. "Prima mangiare, poi filosofare," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(7), pages 1019-1030.
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    Cited by:

    1. Des Gasper, 2002. "Is Sen's Capability Approach an Adequate Basis for Considering Human Development?," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(4), pages 435-461.
    2. Tadashi Hirai, 2022. "A balancing act between economic growth and sustainable development: Historical trajectory through the lens of development indicators," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1900-1910, December.
    3. van Staveren, I.P. & Gasper, D.R., 2002. "Development as freedom : contributions and shortcomings of Amartya Sen's development philosophy for feminist economics," ISS Working Papers - General Series 19123, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    4. Paul Shaffer, 2008. "New Thinking on Poverty: Implications for Globalisation and Poverty Reduction Strategies," Working Papers 65, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.

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