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The Rights/Development Nexus: Sen, Olson, and the Obesity Rights Movement

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  • David W. Rasmussen

Abstract

Objective This article explores how economic development facilitates the creation of interest groups that seek to improve their “capabilities” that, as Amartya Sen has explained, can enhance human freedom. Mancur Olson's work shows that long periods of political stability can foster “distributive coalitions” that benefit small interest groups at the expense of the nation. Method In this context, the fat acceptance movement is analyzed. Oriented toward reducing discrimination against overweight people, it works to improve their well‐being. Results The fat acceptance movement represents a new kind of distributive coalition: rather than transferring income to overweight people, it imposes significant medical costs on the rest of society. Conclusion This externality provides a justification for public policies that can influence weight without compromising the dignity of overweight people

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  • David W. Rasmussen, 2019. "The Rights/Development Nexus: Sen, Olson, and the Obesity Rights Movement," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(3), pages 923-935, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:100:y:2019:i:3:p:923-935
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12577
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    Cited by:

    1. Akaliyski, Plamen & Minkov, Michael & Li, Jianghong & Bond, Michael Harris & Gehrig, Stefan, 2022. "The weight of culture: Societal individualism and flexibility explain large global variations in obesity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).

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