Nussbaum, capabilities and older people

✍ Scribed by Peter Lloyd-Sherlock

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 84 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0954-1748
• DOI: 10.1002/jid.958

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This paper assesses the usefulness of Nussbaum's version of the capabilities approach for understanding the condition of older people in developing countries. It observes that ageing is a highly heterogeneous experience, but that policy debates take a polarized approach. The paper then summarizes key elements of Nussbaum's approach, relates these to older people, and identifies a key distinction between older people's internal capabilities and structural factors related to the environment they inhabit. The paper puts forward a new framework, which combines capabilities and life‐course perspectives. The policy implications of this framework are then explored. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.