Microfinance and Amartya Sen's capability approach
There are two main motivations for undertaking this thesis on Senâs capability approach and microfinance. One is to evaluate Senâs capability approach by considering moral philosophy (utilitarianism and John Rawlsâ theory of justice) and developmental ethics contexts. The other is to analyse the impact of microfinance on poverty reduction in accordance with Senâs approach. This thesis argues that Although Senâs capability approach has drawbacks, both as a general moral theory and as a theory of justice, it does bring up important aspects of development and poverty reduction. When the empirical evidence is combined with criteria from the capability approach, microfinance is a relative failure as a poverty-reducing approach. The evidence that micro-loans reduce poverty is weak, and there are moral arguments against the group lending approach that is used to assure repayments. Other services sometimes associated with microfinance â savings and insurance â do help the poor, however. However, we should notice that the conclusion I propose here does not exclude the possibility that perhaps microfinance does help promote some other freedoms that are of significance locally.
Tseng, Chuan Chia
B Philosophy (General) ; HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Microfinance and Amartya Sen's capability approach. There are two main motivations for undertaking this thesis on Senâs capability approach and microfinance. One is to evaluate Senâs capability approach by considering moral philosophy (utilitarianism and John Rawlsâ theory of justice) and developmental ethics contexts. The other is to analyse the impact of microfinance on poverty reduction in accordance with Senâs approach. This thesis argues that Although Senâs capability approach has drawbacks, both as a general moral theory and as a theory of justice, it does bring up important aspects of development and poverty reduction. When the empirical evidence is combined with criteria from the capability approach, microfinance is a relative failure as a poverty-reducing approach. The evidence that micro-loans reduce poverty is weak, and there are moral arguments against the group lending approach that is used to assure repayments. Other services sometimes associated with microfinance â savings and insurance â do help the poor, however. However, we should notice that the conclusion I propose here does not exclude the possibility that perhaps microfinance does help promote some other freedoms that are of significance locally.
capability approach two_main motivation undertake capability evaluate capability consider moral_philosophy utilitarianism john_rawls theory_justice developmental ethic context analyse impact poverty reduction accordance approach argues although capability drawback general moral_theory theory_justice bring important_aspect development poverty reduction empirical_evidence combine criterion capability relative failure poverty approach evidence micro reduce poverty weak moral argument group use assure service sometimes associate saving insurance help poor however however notice conclusion propose exclude possibility perhaps help promote significance locally