Showing papers by "Amartya Sen published in 1980"

Equality of What

Abstract: We are all of equal value as human beings and are all entitled to equal opportunity to enjoy our lives and fulfil our potential. Equality of opportunity will be achieved when we are able to secure fairness by removing the factors that lead to less favourable treatment of one individual compared to another. We aspire to a fair and just society where everyone is able to live his or her life free from discrimination and oppression. As people may face discrimination or disadvantage, the Council needs to adjust what it does in terms of policy-making, employment practices and service provision to achieve equality of opportunity for everyone. Our right to an equal chance in life is balanced by our personal obligation to extend equality of opportunity to others, and by our responsibilities to the community as a whole. What is diversity about? Everyone is different from one another; each of us is a unique blend of diverse qualities, skills, experiences, background, heritage, beliefs and many other characteristics. Because we differ, our needs and wishes also differ. That is why it is essential to: Recognise that people differ Understand why these differences exist Respect and value these differences as long as they do not unfairly affect the interests of others. Diversity refers to differences between people. It does not directly refer to discrimination and the impact that this has on individuals and communities. It is therefore not the same thing as " equal opportunities ". What is community cohesion about? Community cohesion is a measure of the ability of communities in society to function and grow in harmony with each other rather than in conflict. Communities may define themselves by neighbourhood, ethnic origin, age group, faith and other characteristics or interests. Cohesion will grow and develop when the conditions are right, for example when society as a whole recognises the right to equality and has respect for diversity.

The Welfare Basis of Real Income Comparisons: A Reply

Abstract: IN PRESENTING his estimates of "la richesse territoriale de France," Antoine Lavoisier [100, 1791] pointed out that the object of such estimation is to furnish "a veritable thermometer of national prosperity."' That certainly has provided the motivation behind much work on national income estimation and comparison. Lavoisier was an optimist, and he felt that there need be little room for dispute if the problem were correctly posed and pursued:

Levels of poverty : policy and change

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of poverty, changes in poverty over time, and some of the causes of these changes It opens with a discussion of various concepts of poverty, paying particular attention to recent controversy over nutitional norms and to the debate on whether poverty should be measured by such results as life expectancy or by such inputs as income The comparative success of a wide range of countries in reducing poverty is then assessed, and a detailed examination is made of selected countries; South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, and Yugoslavia Particular attention is given to the causes of success and to the difficulties of drawing lessons from success stories The paper then focuses on extreme causes of poverty, such as the famines in Bangladesh and Ethiopia in the first part of the 1970s It concludes with a hypothetical dialogue on policy between the author and a developing-country finance minister

Farm Size and Labour Use: Analysis and Policy

Abstract: The debate on 'size and productivity relations in Indian agriculture', which began with the publication of a note by ono of the authors of this paper eighteen years ago, was joined by the other author six years later. Since then, many other scholars, including the present authors, have contributed to the debate. The positions taken in the past by the present authors might have appeared shcarply divergent, though the two authors themselves find that such was not the case, and that a common statement is possible on many issues involved in the debate. The present airticle is an attempt at such a common statement of position.