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No Democracy without Justice: Political Freedom in Amartya Sen's Capability Approach

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  • Sharath Srinivasan

Abstract

Amartya Sen has critiqued theories of justice in the liberal tradition for not focusing on actual human living and failing to be truly egalitarian. However, in the absence of a theoretical approach of his own that comprehensively links capabilities and social justice, others have criticised him for not telling us exactly which capabilities should be guaranteed for all citizens in a 'just' society. Sen's 'silence' on the substantive content of an account of justice is due in large measure to his stringent emphasis on plurality, agency and choice; he turns to democratic processes that allow for public reasoning and social choice to attend to judgements about justice. Yet this critical role for democracy is undermined in Sen's elaboration in the absence of requirements of justice that would protect democracy's fair and effective functioning in a manner consistent with capability egalitarianism. There is need for a fuller account of justice concerning actual opportunities for political participation than is available so far in Sen's work, one that protects equality of substantive political freedom seen properly in the perspective of capabilities, not merely civil liberties and political rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Sharath Srinivasan, 2007. "No Democracy without Justice: Political Freedom in Amartya Sen's Capability Approach," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 457-480.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:8:y:2007:i:3:p:457-480
    DOI: 10.1080/14649880701462395
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lieke Brackel, 2021. "Continuous Negotiation in Climate Adaptation: The Challenge of Co-Evolution for the Capability Approach to Justice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Addison, Jane & Stoeckl, Natalie & Larson, Silva & Jarvis, Diane & Bidan Aboriginal Corporation, & Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, & Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, & Gooniyandi , 2019. "The ability of community based natural resource management to contribute to development as freedom and the role of access," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 91-104.
    3. Mejía Cubillos, Javier, 2012. "Ética y Justicia. Reflexiones a partir de The Idea of Justice de Amartya Sen [Ethics and justice. Reflections on The Idea of ​​Justice by Amartya Sen]," MPRA Paper 37458, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Mehta, Lyla, 2014. "Water and Human Development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 59-69.
    5. Fabian Telch & Susan Appe, 2022. "How can countries improve human development? Four distinct national planning strategies and the challenges for human development ahead," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(2), March.
    6. Hoque, Md. Rakibul, 2020. "The impact of the ICT4D project on sustainable rural development using a capability approach: Evidence from Bangladesh," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    7. Leßmann Ortrud, 2009. "Die Rolle der Wahlfreiheit in der Armutsbekämpfung / The Role of Freedom of Choice in Poverty Alleviation," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 60(1), pages 415-434, January.

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