Showing papers by "Amartya Sen published in 1989"

Hunger and Public Action

Abstract: Part 1 Hunger in the modern world: entitlement and deprivation nutrition and capability society, class and gender. Part 2 Famines: famines and social response markets, famines and intervention strategies of entitlement protection experiences and lessons. Part 3 Undernutrition and deprivation: production entitlements and nutrition economic growth and public support China and India experiences of direct support. Part 4 Hunger and public action: economy and society the State and the public.

Cooperation, Inequality, and the Family

Abstract: MCNICOLL AND CAIN ARGUE AGAINST SEEING economic-demographic relationships in an institution-free way, yielding technocratic policy conclusions that are straightforward and conflict-free.' Institutions, conflicts, and inequalities are central to understanding rural development. In this essay I shall concentrate particularly on the institution of the family and generally on issues of conflict as well as congruence of interests. The presentation is largely theoretical (even though empirical illustrations will be given), and I shall try to place the role of the family as an institution in a wide theoretical framework. Social relations between different persons typically involve both conflict and congruence of interest. Economic analysis of social problems cannot go very far without coming to grips with both the combative and the cooperative aspects of interpersonal and intergroup relations. It is, however, possible to emphasize one of these two aspects more than the other, and indeed it is easy to see that various economists have chosen a rather different balance of what to stress and what to neglect. Adam Smith's focus on the congruent aspects of interests of different people is, of course, well known, with his pointer to the advantages that each gains from the other's pursuit of self-interest.2 On the other hand, Marx's analysis of class conflicts and exploitation focused particularly on combative aspects of intergroup relations.3 Of course, Marx too devoted much attention to exploring the congruent elements in social relations (e.g., the widely shared benefits that capitalist development may bring to a feudal society). Indeed, both elements figure in the writings of all the major economists, and the differences lie in the emphasis placed on congruence versus conflict. Walras's investigation of the mutual benefits from the general equilibrium of production and trade, and Keynes's study of how the effective demand of one may create employment for another, primarily focus on elements of congruence. In contrast, Ricardo's analysis of the adverse effects of profitable machinery on workers' employment,

Co-operation, Inequality and the Family

Abstract: MCNICOLL AND CAIN ARGUE AGAINST SEEING economic-demographic relationships in an institution-free way, yielding technocratic policy conclusions that are straightforward and conflict-free.' Institutions, conflicts, and inequalities are central to understanding rural development. In this essay I shall concentrate particularly on the institution of the family and generally on issues of conflict as well as congruence of interests. The presentation is largely theoretical (even though empirical illustrations will be given), and I shall try to place the role of the family as an institution in a wide theoretical framework. Social relations between different persons typically involve both conflict and congruence of interest. Economic analysis of social problems cannot go very far without coming to grips with both the combative and the cooperative aspects of interpersonal and intergroup relations. It is, however, possible to emphasize one of these two aspects more than the other, and indeed it is easy to see that various economists have chosen a rather different balance of what to stress and what to neglect. Adam Smith's focus on the congruent aspects of interests of different people is, of course, well known, with his pointer to the advantages that each gains from the other's pursuit of self-interest.2 On the other hand, Marx's analysis of class conflicts and exploitation focused particularly on combative aspects of intergroup relations.3 Of course, Marx too devoted much attention to exploring the congruent elements in social relations (e.g., the widely shared benefits that capitalist development may bring to a feudal society). Indeed, both elements figure in the writings of all the major economists, and the differences lie in the emphasis placed on congruence versus conflict. Walras's investigation of the mutual benefits from the general equilibrium of production and trade, and Keynes's study of how the effective demand of one may create employment for another, primarily focus on elements of congruence. In contrast, Ricardo's analysis of the adverse effects of profitable machinery on workers' employment,

The Standard of living : the Tanner lectures, Clare Hall, Cambridge, 1985

Abstract: Introduction Geoffrey Hawthorne 1. The standard of living: lecture I, concepts and critiques Amartya Sen 2. The standard of living: lecture II, lives and capabilities Amartya Sen 3. Professor Sen on the standard of living John Muellbauer 4. The standard of living: uncertainty, inequality and opportunity Ravi Kanbur 5. Commoditisation and the standard of living Keith Hart 6. The standard of living: interests and capabilities Bernard Williams 7. Reply Amartya Sen Bibliography Index.

Indian Development: Lessons and Non-Lessons

Abstract: I ndependence came to India after decades of economic stagnation and followed the disastrous Bengal famine of 1943. The promise of a rapid enhancement of living standards based on planned economic development was articulated eloquently by the national leaders. Now, more than forty years later, India's achievements look decidedly mixed?creditable in some respects (including the elimination of famine and the expansion of higher education) but terrible in others (including widespread morbidity and illit eracy). Comparisons with other countries, such as China, and also contrasts within India, help to bring out the successes and failures, and why they have occurred.