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The capability approach: A promising foundation for sustainable development?

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  • Seckler, Matthias
  • Volkert, Jürgen

Abstract

Over the past few years, the capability approach (CA) has been increasingly recognized as a promising foundation of sustainable development despite the persistent critiques of its deliberative democracy concept. This paper theoretically and empirically analyzes CA's potential and challenges as a foundation for sustainable development. We find that CA is more suitable than standard economic theory as a theoretical framework of sustainable development. Some, although not all of CA's implicit motivational assumptions, are confirmed by our empirical findings. We also find that, to overcome CA's idealized concept of a deliberate democracy, the framework will have to be strengthened. We finally discuss the need for future research and ways to further develop CA as a foundation for sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Seckler, Matthias & Volkert, Jürgen, 2021. "The capability approach: A promising foundation for sustainable development?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:183:y:2021:i:c:s0921800921000094
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.106951
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