Addressing Inequality: The Capability Approach

The present research is an attempt to understand Sen¿s perspective on inequality and some of the internal debates within the discipline. Sen¿s analysis of inequality has spurred many debates, including those who have tried to expand on his notion of capabilities. Martha Nussbaum has tried to articulate Sen¿s contributions in a more comprehensive way. Policy practitioners are in a dilemma. Can we argue out a more coherent case where, beyond the aspect of ethical priority, we are also able to reflect on how in addressing inequalities, the capability approach must address the institutional dimensions in a democratic setting? The idea of capability has assumed central importance in development discourse. The book addresses issues, which emerge while operationalising capability approach. While Sen and Nussbaum have underlined the philosophy of capability approach in their own distinct ways, nobody has discussed in details how should we operationalise the capability approach. This suggests that there is an internal debate that requires to be probed further. The book intends to discover these gaps and attempts to ground capability approach in the Indian perspective.