The name is absent

A dynamic operationalization of

Sen’s capability approach

*

Marco Grasso

Abstract

The limits of the utilitarian approach have led to a search for different notions of welfare. The income
approach to well-being, in fact, doesn’t account for the diversity in human beings and for the
heterogeneities of contingent circumstances. Amartya Sen, looking for broader notions of well-being, has
developed an approach focused on the freedom of individuals to pursue their own project of life: the
capability approach. The main purpose of the paper is to explore the possibility of using system dynamics
to operationalize Sen’s framework. First of all we address the methodological issues that have to be
considered in order to operationalize the capability approach in a dynamic framework. Then we
investigate the architecture of the three-functionings model we devised to represent human well-being, as
intended in the capability approach. Furthermore, we analyze in depth the structure of a particular
functioning, and consider some simulations for the selected functioning and for the whole model over
time. Finally, the concluding remarks suggest some indications about the use of system dynamics in
order to operationalize the capability approach, and consider the main findings derived from the
simulations carried out.

JEL: I31

Dipartimento di Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca. Email:
[email protected]

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