Assignment: Capability Approach – Full Answers
1. Five Sentences with Commas and Their Functions
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Sentence 1: “It focuses on the main conceptual and theoretical aspects of the capability
approach, as developed by Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, and others.”
Function: Commas separate a list of names.
Sentence 2: “Its main characteristics are its highly interdisciplinary character, and the focus
on the plural or multidimensional aspects of well-being.”
Function: Comma separates two related ideas.
Sentence 3: “The approach highlights the difference between means and ends, and between
substantive freedoms (capabilities) and outcomes (achieved functionings).”
Function: Comma separates paired items.
Sentence 4: “In academia, it is being discussed in quite abstract and philosophical terms, but
is also used for applied and empirical studies.”
Function: Introductory comma.
Sentence 5: “According to the capability approach, the ends of well-being, justice and
development should be conceptualized in terms of people’s capabilities to function.”
Function: Separates introductory clause.
2. Five Sentences with Semicolons and Their Functions
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Sentence 1: “Note that the capability approach is not a theory that can explain poverty,
inequality or well-being; instead, it rather provides a tool and a framework within which to
conceptualize and evaluate these phenomena.”
Function: Links independent clauses.
Sentence 2: “The core characteristic of the capability approach is its focus on what people
are effectively able to do and to be; that is, on their capabilities.”
Function: Introduces explanation.
Sentence 3: “Some aspects of the capability approach can be traced back to, among others,
Aristotle, Adam Smith, and Karl Marx; see Nussbaum (1988, 2003b).”
Function: Separates clause from reference.
Sentence 4: “According to the capability approach, the ends of well-being, justice and
development should be conceptualized in terms of people’s capabilities to function; that is,
their effective opportunities to undertake actions…”
Function: Adds clarification.
Sentence 5: “The capability approach has provided the theoretical foundations of the human
development paradigm; it has also influenced applied policy debates across the world.”
Function: Joins related independent clauses.
3. Selected Paragraph, Title, and Justification
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Paragraph:
“The core characteristic of the capability approach is its focus on what people are effectively
able to do and to be; that is, on their capabilities. This contrasts with philosophical
approaches that concentrate on people’s happiness or desire-fulfilment, or on income,
expenditures, or consumption.”
Title: “The Central Focus of the Capability Approach”
Justification:
This paragraph captures the essential idea of the Capability Approach by explaining that it
prioritizes real freedoms over happiness, income, or resources. It distinguishes the
approach from other theories and highlights why capabilities matter. The chosen title fits
because the paragraph directly addresses the foundational focus of the framework.
4. Reverse Outlines of Two Related Articles
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ARTICLE 1: “Development as Capability Expansion” – Amartya Sen (1989)
Reverse Outline:
1. Defines development and critiques income-based measures.
2. Explains shortcomings of GNP/GDP.
3. Introduces capabilities as freedoms.
4. Differentiates capabilities and functionings.
5. Discusses social opportunities (health, education).
6. Connects policy to capability expansion.
7. Argues development = expansion of freedom.
8. Concludes by emphasizing human-centered development.
Suitability:
The structure supports the title because every section argues that development is
fundamentally about expanding people's freedoms.
Gaps:
- Little empirical data
- No measurement strategy
- Does not address gender disparity deeply
ARTICLE 2: “Women’s Capabilities and Social Justice” – Martha Nussbaum (2000)
Reverse Outline:
1. Introduces women’s capability deprivation.
2. Critiques traditional development theories.
3. Presents Capability Approach.
4. Gives 10 central human capabilities.
5. Shows how norms restrict women.
6. Advocates constitutional capability rights.
7. Gives practical examples.
8. Concludes with gender-justice argument.
Suitability:
The outline matches the title well because it links women’s freedoms directly to justice
through capability guarantees.
Gaps:
- Limited statistical evidence
- Philosophical, not empirical
- Does not address critics in detail
5. Comparison of the Two Articles
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(i) Main Claims:
- Sen: Development is the expansion of capabilities, not economic growth.
- Nussbaum: Social justice requires guaranteeing central capabilities for women.
(ii) Overlapping Findings:
1. Both view capabilities as true indicators of well-being.
2. Both reject income-only development models.
3. Both emphasize public policy in expanding freedoms.
(iii) Differing Findings:
1. Sen is general; Nussbaum focuses on women.
2. Sen avoids fixed lists; Nussbaum proposes a specific capability list.
3. Sen is conceptual; Nussbaum is normative and legal.
(iv) Synthesis Sentence:
Together, the two articles show that while capability expansion is the basis of real
development (Sen), achieving justice requires focusing on marginalized groups—especially
women—through guaranteed fundamental capabilities (Nussbaum).