Economics
Amartya Sen: Development as Freedom: 3 key ideas
The core ideas of Amartya Sen: Development as Freedom, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
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- IDEA 1 OF 3
Capability approach
Sen argued that development should be judged by what people are actually able to do and be, not only by income.
Health, education and freedom are both ends and means.
- IDEA 2 OF 3
No famine in a functioning democracy
He observed that famines rarely occur where there is a free press and elections, because governments must respond.
Information and accountability save lives.
- IDEA 3 OF 3
Argumentative tradition
Sen highlighted India's long history of public debate and tolerance of disagreement.
Reasoned argument is part of Indian heritage, not a foreign import.
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