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Inequality, Advantage and the Capability Approach

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  • Tania Burchardt
  • Rod Hick

Abstract

Inequality has acquired a newfound prominence in the academic and political debate. While scholars working with the capability approach (CA) have succeeded in influencing the conceptualisation and measurement of poverty, which is increasingly understood in multidimensional terms, recent scholarship on inequality focusses overwhelmingly on economic forms of inequality, and especially on inequalities in income and wealth. In this paper, we outline how the conceptual framework of the CA (focussing on ends rather than means, multidimensionality, and recognising the value of freedoms as well as attained functionings) has the potential to enrich the study of distributional inequality through offering a rationale for why inequality matters, exploring the association between different forms of inequality, and providing an analysis of power. But applying the CA in the context of advantage exacerbates some existing challenges to the approach (defining a capability list, and the non-observability of capabilities) and brings some fresh ones (especially insensitivity at the top of the distribution). We recommend a stronger and clearer distinction between concepts and measures. Capability inequality is a more appropriate and potentially revealing conceptual apparatus, but economic resources are likely to remain a crucial metric for understanding distributional inequality for the foreseeable future.

Suggested Citation

  • Tania Burchardt & Rod Hick, 2018. "Inequality, Advantage and the Capability Approach," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 38-52, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:19:y:2018:i:1:p:38-52
    DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2017.1395396
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sabina Alkire, 2010. "Human Development: Definitions, Critiques, and Related Concepts," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2010-01, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    2. repec:qeh:ophiwp:ophiwp036 is not listed on IDEAS
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    1. Bucelli, Irene & Mcknight, Abigail, 2021. "Mapping systemic approaches to understanding inequality and their potential for designing and implementing interventions to reduce inequality," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 109884, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Isaac G. K. Ansah & Munkaila Lambongang & Samuel A. Donkoh, 2020. "Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs Programme: A Look at the Role of Capability in Farmers’ Participation," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 161-182, April.

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