The Case for a Foundational Capability of Participation

The capability approaches of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum provide a framework for understanding human well-being and flourishing. However, despite their differing levels of specificity, both face challenges related to adaptive preferences and global justice. This thesis proposes a potential framework for the capability of participation, conceptualized as a foundational capability within a two-tier approach, to address some of these difficulties. By presenting capabilities within a two-tier structure, this framework seeks to reconcile the under-specification of Sen’s approach with the prescriptiveness of Nussbaum’s. In doing so, it aims to mitigate or resolve several challenges their theories face. Through an examination of critiques directed at both Sen and Nussbaum, the capability of participation is identified as a foundational capability with the potential to enhance the use of capability in relation to adaptive preferences and global justice. The thesis develops the capability of participation by drawing on theories of recognition to understand its internal and external conditions. Specifically, the works of Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth, and Nancy Fraser are explored to deepen this understanding. Taylor and Honneth’s emphasis on identity development highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships for fostering the internal conditions of participation. Fraser, on the other hand, connects recognition to social status and the broader framework of parity of participation, shedding light on its external conditions. Consequently, the capability of participation is framed as the capacity to engage in dialogical relationships with others while existing within social structures that ensure equitable participation. This perspective underscores the importance of involving individuals whose lives are under evaluation. To truly comprehend their well-being and flourishing, it is essential to understand the lives they lead and the obstacles they face. This thesis does not seek to offer a detailed blueprint but instead provides an overarching framework that integrates the disciplines of capability and recognition. Its aim is to illuminate the diverse ways individuals can lead flourishing lives that they genuinely value.