Development as Empowerment
Development as empowerment provides a feminist perspective on Amartya Sen’s Development s freedom. Sen’s book focuses on how social institutions are adaptable to enhance human capabilities. It however falls short as per the author, in that it does not address the role taken by dominant powers in maintaining disproportionalities and inequalities in the social order. The theory’s criticism is that it does not address social and structural inequalities or how these institutions affect human welfare. The feminist perspective aims to address this failure by proposing a new social order. The author aims to give a feminist perspective to the economy, prioritizing social relationships, which is the foundation for democracy. Social institutions work through social structures to enhance greater democratization to incorporate power structures and achieve their aims. Development as empowerment theory builds on Amartya Sen’s approach to an individual’s ability to achieve true personal freedom to exercise choice. However, they are subject to conversion factors for individuals to fulfill the stated desires. For example, upward mobility depends on the social and environmental factors a person’s growth occurs.
The problem statement is that the capability methodology provides a firm foundation for more robust development. The author is correct in stating that social institutions play a vital role in development of the society. The social demands lean in the structure to bend democratic institutions to their will. The expansion of substantive freedoms is quantifiable as development, and democratic institutions are important players in enhancing citizenry capacity to participate in its processes. This, however, does not address the structural inadequacies of market economies where money and wealth determine freedoms. The act of seeking profit affects the weak and lacking in society. In a capitalist society, freedoms are a preserve of owners of capital free will.As envisioned by Amartya Sen, the current system does not consider failings listed by socialists and feminists. There is a mismatch within the community itself. Power structures, as constituted, may fail to address the vulnerability. This leads to failure of individuals to achieve personal goals which reflect on the society as a whole.
The paper proposes a feminist approach that aspires to true democracy. It offers sweeping changes to societal structures that have prevented society’s segments from staking their claim at the democratic table. Nancy proposes the destruction of power structures to achieve higher democratization and participation of groups under-represented or marginalized in the current setting. This is a radical shift that aims to give everyone at the table a voice in the process. She agrees that progressive steps are possible, but radical change is needed to achieve even further progress. The current structures as they are do not promote equality sought by the feminists.
The current state of inequalities is a function of the social structures. In agreement with her notion of breaking down the barriers to participation, a different approach is useful to stem systemic and historical injustices accruing from current models. The theory of power being subservient to societal needs is not an answer to pending problems. Individuals who make up societies have to collectivize and address the bottom issues to top progressively challenge power structures to achieve true democratization.
From the feminist perspective, the capability approach at a national level entails prioritizing minimum needs to check on inequality, such as income levels or basic health standards. This helps cushion the minority against exploitation in society. At the micro-level, the expansion of freedoms means that equal opportunity availability as social structures conform to each one.
The implication stated is that empowerment is another way of achieving freedom by addressing historical, societal struggles with power and how to cater to the venerable in society. In this case, development is broader and encompasses all societal elements. Society has enhanced bargaining power because of the uniformity and equality approach in addressing the authorities’ concerns. The changes in social institutions would serve to eliminate structural redundancies that exist in the prevailing environment. The scourge of systematic inequality and historical injustices will address enabling the society to achieve the highest possible goods. For example, education, access to healthcare will improve the overall wellbeing of the community. The tradeoffs that result in impending and widening democratizing. This leads to poverty reduction in addition to the sustenance of meaningful personal relationships in society. The expansion of human freedoms leads to overall better outcomes for all societal levels.
The fact is addressing the issue raised by feminism will lead to resistance from established orders keen to retain a grip on control. Feminist economists recognize inequality and underrepresentation stem from the old order that has permeated generations. Therefore, the struggle to achieve a new social order is ongoing, and the quest for equality and fair representation will go on until it is complete. Development as empowerment means everyone in the society has their voice heard and can exercise personal choice and freedoms associated with being the best. Feminist economists believe that insight can be drawn from all disciplines in developing human development approaches based on social outcomes pegged on everyone’s success.
