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Entitlement failure and deprivation: a critique of Sen's famine philosophy

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  • Khandakar Qudrat-I Elahi

Abstract

This paper insinuates the conceptual foundation of Sen's entitlement approach by pinpointing its major weaknesses. First, Sen's critique of FAD is inadequate because speculative, not actual, supply and demand forces determine short-run commodity prices. Second, Sen's idea of 'exchange entitlement' is inconsistent with the principles of capitalism, since this economic system operates on the conceptual and legal framework of voluntary exchange. Third, if food is considered as an entitled commodity, other basic necessities of life, such as healthcare, education etc. could claim the same status. Finally, the approach is founded on a hidden hypothesis that income distributions in non-communist states are economically and politically optimal.

Suggested Citation

  • Khandakar Qudrat-I Elahi, 2006. "Entitlement failure and deprivation: a critique of Sen's famine philosophy," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(4), pages 541-558.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:42:y:2006:i:4:p:541-558
    DOI: 10.1080/00220380600680771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen Devereux, 2001. "Sen's Entitlement Approach: Critiques and Counter-critiques," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(3), pages 245-263.
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