Creating Capabilities: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of Creating Capabilities, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
Ask what people can do
Nussbaum explains the capabilities approach, which judges societies by what people are actually able to do and become.
Instead of only looking at income or GDP, it asks whether people can live long, be healthy, learn, participate in politics and enjoy relationships.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
A woman's story shows the approach
Nussbaum begins with Vasanti, a woman in Gujarat who escaped an abusive marriage and gained independence through a women's organisation that gave her a loan.
Her story shows how real opportunities can change a life.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Ten capabilities are central
Nussbaum lists ten central capabilities, including life, bodily health, bodily integrity, education, emotions, practical reason, affiliation, concern for other species, play and control over one's environment.
Each is needed for a fully human life.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Dignity is the basis
Nussbaum grounds the capabilities approach in human dignity.
Every person deserves the conditions needed to live a life worthy of dignity. Dignity, she argues, is owed to everyone without exception.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Everyone needs a threshold
Nussbaum argues that justice requires bringing every person above a threshold level of each capability.
Governments should ensure these minimums. Below the threshold, justice is not being done. Minimums are owed to all.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
GDP misses what matters
Nussbaum criticises measuring progress only by GDP or average happiness.
These measures can hide inequality and ignore what people can actually do. Averages can conceal suffering and exclusion. Capabilities show more.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Governments must act
Nussbaum argues that governments have a duty to secure capabilities for all citizens.
This includes laws, services and opportunities. Rights must become real opportunities in people's daily lives. Public action is essential.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
The approach applies worldwide
Nussbaum argues that the capabilities approach can guide policy across countries.
It respects cultural differences while insisting on basic human entitlements. Human dignity, she argues, has no borders. It is a universal framework.
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