The Capability Approach: From Theory to Practice

How can human capabilities be articulated and promoted in practice? How can the challenges encountered in its application be addressed? This volume answers these research questions through nine country case studies from the Global North and the Global South.

Table of Contents:
1. The Capability Approach: From Theory to Practice - Rationale, Review and Reflections; Solava Ibrahim 2. Capability Approach, Livelihoods and Social Inclusion: Agents of Change in Rural India; Meera Tiwari 3. The Dynamics of Collective Agency in Practice: Women's Fight against FGM in Upper Egypt; Solava Ibrahim 4. Growing-up on the Street – Understanding the Lives of Street Children and Youth in Africa; Wayne Shand 5. An agency-oriented exploration of capabilities: Reflections from the UNDP 2010 Brasil Ponto a Ponto campaign; Alexandre Apsan Frediani 6. Sustainability and the Capability Approach: From theory to practice?; PB Anand 7. Using the capability approach to evaluate health and care for individuals and groups in England; Tania Burchardt and Polly Vizard 8. Capability Approach Applications in Germany: 9. Official Poverty and Wealth Reporting and Beyond; Jürgen Volkert 10. Integrating Human Capital and Human Capabilities in Understanding the Value of Education; Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti and Anna Sabadash 11. French Public Involvement in Fair-trade: An Opportunity to Link the Solidarity Economy and the Capability Approach; Hanitra Randrianasolo and Jean-Luc Dubois Conclusion

About the Author :
Wayne Shand, University of Manchester, UK Alexandre Apsan Frediani, University College London, UK PB Anand, University of Bradford, UK Tania Burchardt, London School of Economics, UK Polly Vizard, London School of Economics, UK Jürgen Volkert, Pforzheim University, Germany Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti, University of Pavia and IUSS, Pavia, Italy Anna Sabadash, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium and University of Pavia, Italy Hanitra Randrianasolo, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France Jean-Luc Dubois, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

Review :

“This book is a novel contribution to the existing literature and that it will provide a key point of reference for any PhD student or researcher attempting to apply the CA to practice in their respective fields for many years to come. ... this book provides a good starting point for anyone else heading down a similar road, although the work contained in this book should make that trip less arduous.” (Paul Mark Mitchell, Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Vol. 17 (2), May, 2016)

'This book convincingly demonstrates that the application of the capability approach to development policy and practice should be prioritised . by both researchers and practitioners. It provides both a thoughtful overview of 'why' and 'how' to move from theory to practice, and nine case studies (from rural India and Upper Egypt to the UK and Germany)that give detailed analyses of the application of the capability approach. Essential reading for all who are seeking to promote human flourishing.' David Hulme, University of Manchester, UK

'People often ask 'how do I apply the capability approach in practice it is a convincing idea in theory but what does it mean in concrete?' This book bridges the gap with a collection of wide ranging case studies from Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India and elsewhere. A must read for scholars and practitioners in search of a people centred and equitable development.' Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, The New School University, New York, USA

'This book is a refreshing contribution to the literature on the operationalisation of the Capability Approach. The essays and case studies in this rich collection provide a lucid variety of accounts of how to apply the human development paradigm to the real world. This international team of scholars has produced an outstanding reference work for scholars, policy-makers and non-specialists.' Flavio Comim, University of Cambridge, UK