ABSTRACT

The capability approach to social justice construes a person's well-being in terms of the substantive freedoms people value. John Alexander engages with the rapidly growing body of literature on the capability approach in economics, inequality, poverty measurement and development studies. Critically assessing Sen and Nussbaum's work in normative economics, social ethics and political philosophy, Alexander develops a unified vision of the capability approach embodying the ideal of creating the greatest possible condition for the realization of basic capabilities for all. He then assesses this vision as a political theory arguing that capabilities are necessary but not sufficient for overcoming conditions of domination. The book calls for a more intimate relationship between individual liberty and the freedom of the political community as a whole.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part |2 pages

Part I The Capability Approach in Perspective

chapter 1|22 pages

Sen’s Critique of Utilitarianism

chapter 2|22 pages

Rethinking Rawlsian Justice

chapter 3|26 pages

Towards a Capability Theory of Justice

part |2 pages

Part II Capabilities, Morality and Politics