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Towards a behavioural capability approach: the contribution of behavioural economics to Amartya Sen’s framework

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  • Pablo Garces-Velastegui

    (Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales)

Abstract

Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, elaborated at the intersection of philosophy and economics, is a people-centred framework for the assessment of social states. It provides an account of human beings, their agency, freedom, and well-being. Rationality takes prominence in this account but it is reconsidered as reasoning. Beyond the dominant axiomatic account, this entails subjecting one’s choices and preferences to critical scrutiny. It focuses, thus, on reflective action only and lacks an explanation of people’s failures to achieve welfare outcomes. An account of non-reasoning action and of human fallibility, in reflective and non-reflective action, is absent. Both are significant for a freedom-centred and agency-oriented approach. Behavioural economics, accounting for systematic deviations from optimal behaviour both in impulsive and deliberate action, can provide a useful complement. Such a step towards a behavioural capability approach enriches the CA’s internal conversion factors, expanding the notion of rationality, and external conversion factors, adding choice architecture.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo Garces-Velastegui, 2023. "Towards a behavioural capability approach: the contribution of behavioural economics to Amartya Sen’s framework," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 70(1), pages 101-120, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:70:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s12232-023-00411-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-023-00411-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Le Grand, Julian, 2006. "Motivation, Agency, and Public Policy: Of Knights and Knaves, Pawns and Queens," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199298914.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agency; Behavioural economics; Capability; Freedom; Rationality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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