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Sen’s Capability Approach to Welfare Economics

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  • Kuklys, W.
  • Robeyns, I.

Abstract

We describe Amartya Sen's Capability Approach to welfare evaluation in the language of standard welfare economics, and assess to what extent it provides a genuine alternative for individual welfare measurement and policy evaluation. We review the nascent empirical literature on the capability approach and assess whether it makes a genuine difference with standard welfare evaluation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuklys, W. & Robeyns, I., 2004. "Sen’s Capability Approach to Welfare Economics," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 0415, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
  • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:0415
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    RePEc Biblio mentions

    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economics, Ethics, and Culture > Social justice > Liberal theories > Capabilities

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    Cited by:

    1. Paola Ballon, 2013. "The selection of functionings and capabilities : A survey of empirical studies," Working Papers PMMA 2013-09, PEP-PMMA.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capability approach; welfare economics; welfare measurement; welfarism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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