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Bentham or Aristotle in the Development Process? An Empirical Investigation of Capabilities and Subjective Well-Being

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  • Graham, Carol
  • Nikolova, Milena

Abstract

Life evaluations and emotional states are distinct subjective well-being (SWB) components. We explore the relationship between opportunities and SWB dimensions, distinguishing between actual capabilities and means (education, employment, and income) and perceived opportunities (autonomy and health perceptions and belief in hard work). We find a link between capabilities and SWB (particularly, life evaluations), which varies across world regions. Capabilities can be associated with stress and anger; and seem to matter the least for the happiest respondents. We also explore the determinants of the least studied well-being dimension: eudaimonia, or life purpose, which is an underlying objective of the development process.

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  • Graham, Carol & Nikolova, Milena, 2015. "Bentham or Aristotle in the Development Process? An Empirical Investigation of Capabilities and Subjective Well-Being," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 163-179.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:68:y:2015:i:c:p:163-179
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.11.018
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    evaluative well-being; hedonic well-being; eudaimonic well-being; capabilities; freedoms; variance decompositions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I39 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Other

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