“Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach” by Martha Nussbaum is a seminal work that introduces the ‘Capabilities Approach’ to assessing human progress. The book challenges traditional humanitarian policies that focus on resources, proposing a shift towards enhancing individual lives.
Nussbaum centers her argument on the question: “What are people actually able to do and to be?” She posits that a fulfilling human life encompasses a range of ‘capabilities’ or realizable possibilities. These include the ability to live a life worth living, use one’s imagination, attain a truly human understanding of the world, maintain dignity and a sense of equal worth, and participate in the political life of one’s society.
The book argues that people’s capabilities, shaped by personal abilities and their social, economic, and political environment, should be the focus of development policies. This approach encourages a more holistic view of human well-being and serves as an engaging read for anyone interested in social justice and quality of life assessment.