The “capability approach” as applied to the Human Development Index (HDI) has been criticized for:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: (2) Difficulty in operationalization and measurement.
Explanation:
The "Capability Approach," propounded by Amartya Sen, argues that development should be evaluated not merely by income or the consumption of goods, but rather by what an individual is capable of doing or becoming (such as being healthy, being educated, or participating in society). However, when it comes to applying this to global metrics like the Human Development Index (HDI), its most significant criticism centers on the complexity of its measurement.
"Capability" is a qualitative and subjective concept. The capabilities constituting a "good life" may vary across different cultures and nations. Statistically, it is extremely difficult to collect data on the specific degree of "capability" or "freedom of choice" possessed by any given individual. This is why the HDI, in an effort to simplify matters, selected only three tangible indicators (health, education, and income)—thereby omitting many of the deeper dimensions of Sen's original "Capability Approach." Critics contend that translating capabilities into a mathematical index is practically challenging.
The Human Development Index (HDI) was developed in 1990 by Mahbub-ul-Haq and Amartya Sen.
Additional Points:
Economic Factors: Option 1 is incorrect because the Capability Approach itself critiques the limitations of economic factors (such as GDP) and places emphasis on human aspects.
Life Expectancy and Education: Options 3 and 4 are incorrect because both constitute integral components of the HDI. Within the HDI framework, life expectancy represents health, while years of schooling represent knowledge. The Capability Approach does not disregard these factors; rather, it views them as instruments for building an individual's "capabilities."
Significance: Amartya Sen was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998 for this very approach and for his contributions to welfare economics.
Potential Exam Questions:
Question: What are the three main dimensions of the HDI? Answer: Health (life expectancy), education (years of schooling), and standard of living (Gross National Income per capita).
Question: Which international organization calculates the HDI based on 'Purchasing Power Parity' (PPP)?
Answer: UNDP (United Nations Development Programme).