Development as FreedomAmartya Sen

Professor: LISA LIM

Language in Public Policy and Management

Presented By:

DANIEL JORI&

SOPHEA KIM

About the Author Born November 3 1933, in West Bengal, India to

Bangladeshi parents Schooled in Calcutta and Cambridge – economics

& philosophy Welfare economist & Professor Best known for his work on causes for famine &

famine prevention 1998 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Studies “Mother Theresa of Economics”

It’s More than Money “Wealth is evidently not the good we are seeking; for

it is merely useful and for the sake of something else.” –Aristotle

“The usefulness of wealth lies in what we want it to do.”

more concerned with “Development has to be enhancing the lives we lead and the freedoms

we enjoy.” The ends and means of development call for placing

the perspective of freedom at the center of the stage.

What is freedom? Availability of food, health care, sanitation,

clean water, gender equality, functional education, employment, social security, political liberty, & basic civil rights

“ If freedom is what development advances, then there is a major argument for

concentrating on that overarching objective, rather than on some particular means…”

Freedom is both the primary ends as well as the principal means of development.

Institutions and Instrumental

Freedoms The five distinct types of freedom, seen in an

“instrumental” perspective are: Political freedoms - i.e. civil rights, free speech Economic facilities - i.e. utilization of resources for

consumption, production, exchange Social opportunities - i.e. education, health care Transparency guarantees - i.e. openness & freedom to

deal with one another, guarantees of disclosure Protective security- i.e. unemployment assistance,

famine relief

Broader Conceptions of Development

Amartya Sen argues that development should be seen as a process of expending the real freedom that people enjoy.

So, development requires the removal of major impediments to freedom like poverty, tyranny, and neglect of public facilities.

Sen also emphasized basic health and education. Development should be measured less by

material output measures, such as GNP per capita and more by the capacities and opportunities that people experience.

Development & Culture

Is it better to be “rich & happy” or “impoverished and traditional”?

If the traditional way of life has to be sacrificed to escape grinding poverty or miniscule

longevity, it is the people directly involved who must have the opportunity to participate in

deciding what should be chosen.” Conflict: value that people should be allowed to

decide freely which traditions to follow vs. established traditions are always followed

Economics of Freedom Development

From the beginning the study of economics was the study of freedom expansion

Economics has shifted more toward utilities, income, & wealth

Promotion of an open market The market mechanism opens the door for

provision of basic education, the presence of elementary medical facilities, the availability of

resources, and much more.

Individual Freedom as a Social Commitment

A variety of social institutions contribute to the process of development by enhancing and

sustaining individual freedoms. All cultures desire freedom-this is universal.

There is no “formula” for development.

Critisism Lee Kuan Yew thesis:

Economic growth is stimulated by denial of political & civil liberties.

Poor people will choose economic needs over political freedom. For instant: China new model of development!

Public discussion and debate necessary for development (i.e. need for opposition, openness)

Discussion Questions1. Which one is the better outcome for freedom? Growth of GNP Happiness Basic needs Political right

Discussion Questions

2. Should development policies focus on economic growth or personal

freedom?