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Sen's Capability Approach and Welfare

Description: This quiz aims to assess your understanding of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach and its implications for welfare economics.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: welfare economics capability approach sen development economics
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What is the central idea of Sen's Capability Approach?

  1. Well-being is determined by the opportunities a person has to achieve various functionings.

  2. Well-being is determined by the resources a person possesses.

  3. Well-being is determined by the person's income.

  4. Well-being is determined by the person's social status.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sen argues that well-being is not simply a matter of having certain resources or achieving certain outcomes, but rather it is about having the freedom to choose and pursue the life one values.

What is the difference between functionings and capabilities?

  1. Functionings are the actual achievements of a person, while capabilities are the potential achievements.

  2. Functionings are the resources a person possesses, while capabilities are the opportunities a person has.

  3. Functionings are the outcomes a person desires, while capabilities are the means to achieve those outcomes.

  4. Functionings are the subjective well-being of a person, while capabilities are the objective well-being.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Capabilities refer to the various combinations of functionings that a person can potentially achieve, given their personal characteristics and the opportunities available to them.

What is the relationship between capabilities and well-being?

  1. Capabilities are necessary for well-being, but they are not sufficient.

  2. Well-being is necessary for capabilities, but it is not sufficient.

  3. Capabilities and well-being are independent of each other.

  4. Capabilities and well-being are the same thing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sen argues that capabilities are necessary for well-being, as they provide people with the freedom to choose and pursue the life they value. However, capabilities alone are not sufficient for well-being, as other factors, such as luck and social conditions, can also affect a person's well-being.

What is the role of freedom in Sen's Capability Approach?

  1. Freedom is essential for well-being.

  2. Freedom is a means to achieve capabilities.

  3. Freedom is a capability in itself.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sen argues that freedom is essential for well-being, as it allows people to choose and pursue the life they value. Freedom is also a means to achieve capabilities, as it allows people to develop their skills and abilities. Additionally, Sen argues that freedom is a capability in itself, as it is a valuable aspect of human life.

What are some of the criticisms of Sen's Capability Approach?

  1. It is too abstract and difficult to apply in practice.

  2. It ignores the role of resources in determining well-being.

  3. It is too focused on individual capabilities and neglects the importance of social factors.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sen's Capability Approach has been criticized for being too abstract and difficult to apply in practice. Additionally, some critics argue that it ignores the role of resources in determining well-being. Others argue that it is too focused on individual capabilities and neglects the importance of social factors.

How has Sen's Capability Approach been used in policymaking?

  1. To design policies that promote human development.

  2. To evaluate the effectiveness of development programs.

  3. To guide the allocation of resources in developing countries.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sen's Capability Approach has been used in policymaking in a variety of ways. It has been used to design policies that promote human development, to evaluate the effectiveness of development programs, and to guide the allocation of resources in developing countries.

What is the difference between Sen's Capability Approach and the utilitarian approach to welfare economics?

  1. The Capability Approach focuses on individual well-being, while the utilitarian approach focuses on the aggregate well-being of society.

  2. The Capability Approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice, while the utilitarian approach emphasizes the maximization of utility.

  3. The Capability Approach is based on a relational theory of well-being, while the utilitarian approach is based on a consequentialist theory of well-being.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Capability Approach focuses on individual well-being, while the utilitarian approach focuses on the aggregate well-being of society. The Capability Approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice, while the utilitarian approach emphasizes the maximization of utility. The Capability Approach is based on a relational theory of well-being, while the utilitarian approach is based on a consequentialist theory of well-being.

What is the significance of Sen's Capability Approach in the field of welfare economics?

  1. It provides a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of well-being.

  2. It challenges the traditional focus on income and consumption as measures of well-being.

  3. It emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice in achieving well-being.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sen's Capability Approach has had a significant impact on the field of welfare economics. It has provided a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of well-being, challenging the traditional focus on income and consumption as measures of well-being. It has also emphasized the importance of freedom and choice in achieving well-being.

What are some of the key concepts in Sen's Capability Approach?

  1. Functionings

  2. Capabilities

  3. Well-being

  4. Freedom

  5. All of the above


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Some of the key concepts in Sen's Capability Approach include functionings, capabilities, well-being, and freedom.

How does Sen's Capability Approach differ from the traditional welfarist approach to welfare economics?

  1. The Capability Approach focuses on individual well-being, while the welfarist approach focuses on aggregate well-being.

  2. The Capability Approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice, while the welfarist approach emphasizes the maximization of utility.

  3. The Capability Approach is based on a relational theory of well-being, while the welfarist approach is based on a consequentialist theory of well-being.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Capability Approach differs from the traditional welfarist approach to welfare economics in several ways. First, the Capability Approach focuses on individual well-being, while the welfarist approach focuses on aggregate well-being. Second, the Capability Approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice, while the welfarist approach emphasizes the maximization of utility. Third, the Capability Approach is based on a relational theory of well-being, while the welfarist approach is based on a consequentialist theory of well-being.

What are some of the policy implications of Sen's Capability Approach?

  1. Policies should focus on expanding people's capabilities, rather than simply increasing their income.

  2. Policies should promote freedom and choice.

  3. Policies should address the social and economic factors that limit people's capabilities.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Some of the policy implications of Sen's Capability Approach include: policies should focus on expanding people's capabilities, rather than simply increasing their income; policies should promote freedom and choice; and policies should address the social and economic factors that limit people's capabilities.

How has Sen's Capability Approach been used to measure well-being?

  1. The Human Development Index (HDI) is based on Sen's Capability Approach.

  2. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is based on Sen's Capability Approach.

  3. The Capability Poverty Measure (CPM) is based on Sen's Capability Approach.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sen's Capability Approach has been used to develop a number of measures of well-being, including the Human Development Index (HDI), the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and the Capability Poverty Measure (CPM).

What are some of the challenges in applying Sen's Capability Approach in practice?

  1. It can be difficult to measure capabilities.

  2. It can be difficult to design policies that effectively expand people's capabilities.

  3. It can be difficult to address the social and economic factors that limit people's capabilities.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Some of the challenges in applying Sen's Capability Approach in practice include: it can be difficult to measure capabilities; it can be difficult to design policies that effectively expand people's capabilities; and it can be difficult to address the social and economic factors that limit people's capabilities.

Despite the challenges, why is Sen's Capability Approach still considered an important framework for thinking about well-being and social justice?

  1. It provides a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of well-being than traditional approaches.

  2. It emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice.

  3. It is based on a relational theory of well-being, which takes into account the social and economic context in which people live.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Despite the challenges, Sen's Capability Approach is still considered an important framework for thinking about well-being and social justice because it provides a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of well-being than traditional approaches, it emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice, and it is based on a relational theory of well-being, which takes into account the social and economic context in which people live.

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