ABSTRACT
Aims of the chapter
To link the capability approach with theories of equality and social justice.
To investigate how the capability approach differs from John Rawls’ theory of justice.
To introduce the underlying purpose and main ideas of theories of justice.
To highlight the role of the capability approach in developing theories of justice.
To examine the implications of a capability-based approach to justice for policy design and other intervention strategies.
Key pointsEquality and justice are related but distinct values.
There are crucial differences between the capability approach to justice and Rawls’ Justice as Fairness, yet the philosophical debate concerning their precise differences continues.
The capability approach can be developed into partial or complete theories of justice, but this requires much more philosophical work than just embracing functionings and capabilities as metrics of justice.
The capability approach is particularly well-suited to looking at justice for disadvantaged groups, such as women.
The capability approach leads to several distinct recommendations, but much more work still needs to be done to see how the capability approach can be put into practice and how its policies and interventions can be effectively evaluated.
