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Amartya Sen on economic inequality: the need for an explicit critique of opulence

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  • John Cameron

    (School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK)

Abstract

Amartya Sen has sought to maintain a dialogue with mainstream economics on inequality-a continuing theme in his writing. This paper suggests this dialogue has involved costs. The first and second sections outline where Sen has located himself in the epistemological range that defines acceptable knowledge in the general economics discourse and takes Sen's epistemological principles into the analysis of economic inequality. The third section links Sen's work on causes of famine with his work on inequality and shows how this has given a particular slant to the development of capabilities theory with a focus on the lower end of the inter-personal inequality distribution. The fourth section focuses on the need also for development ethics at the top end of the inequality distribution and economic opulence. The conclusion makes the case for further critical reflection on the top end of the inter-personal distribution and opulence as vital elements in the capabilities approach to improving the human condition, even if this means a greater distancing from mainstream economics than Amartya Sen has found acceptable in the past. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • John Cameron, 2000. "Amartya Sen on economic inequality: the need for an explicit critique of opulence," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(7), pages 1031-1045.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:12:y:2000:i:7:p:1031-1045
    DOI: 10.1002/1099-1328(200010)12:7<1031::AID-JID725>3.0.CO;2-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sen, Amartya, 1997. "On Economic Inequality," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198292975.
    2. Deepak Lal (ed.), 1992. "Development Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, volume 0, number 566.
    3. Sen, Amartya, 1973. "On Economic Inequality," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198281931.
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    Cited by:

    1. Des Gasper, 2002. "Is Sen's Capability Approach an Adequate Basis for Considering Human Development?," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(4), pages 435-461.
    2. Hatice Karaçay Çakmak, 2010. "Can the Capability Approach be Evaluated within the Frame of Mainstream Economics? A Methodological Analysis," Panoeconomicus, Savez ekonomista Vojvodine, Novi Sad, Serbia, vol. 57(1), pages 85-99, March.
    3. Jackson, William A., 2014. "External Capabilities and the Limits to Social Policy," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, pages 125-142.
    4. Jabłoński Łukasz, 2019. "Inequality in Economics: The Concept, Perception, Types, and Driving Forces," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 27(1), pages 17-43, March.

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