Amartya Sen
Nobel laureate, capabilities approach to development
Quotes by Amartya Sen
Social justice requires not just equality of opportunity, but also attention to the actual capabilities people have to seize those opportunities.
The 'standard of living' should be assessed not by income alone, but by the freedoms people enjoy.
The idea of a 'clash of civilizations' is a dangerous oversimplification of complex global interactions.
The state has a crucial role to play in ensuring basic capabilities for all citizens.
The pursuit of individual self-interest, without any ethical constraints, can lead to collective irrationality.
The 'missing women' phenomenon in some parts of the world is a stark indicator of gender inequality.
The concept of 'utility' in economics is often too narrow to capture the richness of human well-being.
Freedom is not just an end, but also the principal means of development.
The 'veil of ignorance' approach to justice is too abstract and ignores real-world injustices.
The 'economic man' is a social and ethical being, not just a maximizing machine.
The 'Washington Consensus' often overlooked the importance of social safety nets and public services.
The idea of a 'perfect' society is a dangerous illusion; we should focus on reducing manifest injustices.
The 'invisible hand' needs a visible hand of public policy to ensure equitable outcomes.
The 'capabilities approach' provides a more robust framework for assessing well-being than traditional income-based measures.
The 'tragedy of the commons' can be averted through collective action and social norms, not just privatization.
The 'rationality' of individuals is often influenced by their social and cultural context.
The 'economic growth first' approach to development often exacerbates inequalities.
The 'social choice theory' reveals the inherent difficulties in aggregating individual preferences into a collective decision.
The 'paradox of voting' highlights the challenges of democratic decision-making.
The 'moral sentiments' play a crucial role in economic behavior, often overlooked by standard economic models.