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Is Amartya Sen's sustainable freedom a broader vision of sustainability?

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  • Demals, Thierry
  • Hyard, Alexandra

Abstract

For several years now, the theme of sustainable development (thereafter “SD”) has been approached through the capability approach (CA). Recently this notion has been used by Sen to propose a redefinition of SD in terms of “sustainable freedom” (SF), meaning: enjoying the actual freedom to choose a standard of living rather than another without affecting negatively the freedom of generations to come. For Sen, this concept is aimed at broadening current understanding of SD. This article seeks to show that Sen's broader concept of sustainability whilst it generates many questions has not actually expanded the concept itself.

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  • Demals, Thierry & Hyard, Alexandra, 2014. "Is Amartya Sen's sustainable freedom a broader vision of sustainability?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 33-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:102:y:2014:i:c:p:33-38
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.03.009
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    5. Ilg Michael, 2019. "Freedom from Development," The Law and Development Review, De Gruyter, vol. 12(2), pages 323-349, June.
    6. Martins, Nuno Ornelas, 2016. "Ecosystems, strong sustainability and the classical circular economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 32-39.

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