The capability approach: an introduction Wednesday 7th June, 2017 Rosie Peppin Vaughan rosie.peppinvaughan@ucl.ac.uk

The Capability Approach Developed by the economist Amartya Sen and the philosopher Martha Nussbaum Context: ‘Crisis of development’ Ongoing questions about equality and social justice; limitations of i) resource-based or ii) utility-based approaches. Key question: ‘equality of what?’ A theoretical and evaluative framework for thinking about equality and development

From Sen (1999) Development as Freedom Source: Sen, A.K. (1999) Development as Freedom, page 22. From Sen (1999) Development as Freedom

Central proposition When thinking about development and equality, we need to look at… Functionings: ‘beings and doings’, e.g. working, resting, being nourished The freedom to achieve a functioning = capability Functionings that they value: Sen distinguished between well- being and agency, important to acknowledge ‘other-regarding’ values as well. Example of two starving men. The extent of freedom people have to achieve the functionings that they value A really good, basic introduction to the capability approach is Ingrid Robeyn’s ‘The Capability Approach: An Interdisciplinary Introduction’, which can be found on the downloads section on her website, http://www.ingridrobeyns.nl/.

It is important to distinguish between: Individual conversion factors Achieved functioning Resource Capability Choice Means to achieve Freedom to achieve Achievement Diagram adapted from Robeyns (2005) This diagram is a simplified version on the one in Ingrid Robeyns’ ‘Interdisciplinary Introduction’ (2005). It is important to distinguish between: Resources (e.g. a book, a school, a bicycle) Functionings (a ‘being or doing’) The capability to achieve a functioning

Additional dimensions Wellbeing and agency Sen and Nussbaum; processes / lists 10 ‘central capabilities’ e.g. life; bodily health; bodily integrity; emotions; practical reason; affiliation etc. Human Development; HDI and rankings

Comparing GNI and HDI rankings Country GNI per capita ranking (2011 PPP$) HDI ranking Qatar 1 33 Kuwait 2 50 Norway 6 Luxembourg 8 20 Australia 22 3 Czech Republic 39 28 Source: Human Development Report 2016

Capabilities and education What is the ultimate aim of education, what goals should guide education reform? Economic framings; capability expansion; reversal of ends / means. E.g. girls’ education 2) What is ‘fairness’ and equality in education? Inputs / resources / outcomes? Capability to engage in educational processes vs capabilities through education; implications for wb / agency 3) What values should be embedded in education systems? Individual / collective; values conducive to capability expansion Challenges: measurements and data collection; adaptive preference and value formation; freedoms and young people.

Some areas of work so far Theoretical work around rights, entitlements, capabilities and justice (e.g. McCowan, Unterhalter, Brighouse, Robeyns) Value formation and aspirations (e.g. Hart, Walker, Robeyns) Diversity and different values in education (e.g. Terzi, Walker) Impact of education on other capabilities e.g. labour market (e.g. Otto, Hinchliffe) Teachers’ capabilities (e.g. Tao, Buckler, Cin) Children’s capabilities (e.g. Biggeri, Comim) Higher Education (e.g. Walker, McLean, Hart, McCowan) Cross-cutting themes: gender; critical perspectives on education; measurement; capabilities and education policy.

Conclusion Theoretical and practical challenges but advantages for thinking about social justice in education Justification for education – and definition. Defines equality while taking diversity into account Upcoming talks: Thursday 8th June: Melanie Walker, 10am, London International Development Centre Thursday 15th June: Amartya Sen, 5pm, UCL Institute of Education 2017-18 Seminars on capabilities and education at UCL Institute of Education (email rosie.peppinvaughan@ucl.ac.uk to sign up) HDCA Thematic Group on Education – see website.