Orton, Michael. (2011) Flourishing lives : the capabilities approach as a framework for new thinking about employment, work and welfare in the 21st century. Work, Employment & Society, Vol.25 (No.2). pp. 352-360. ISSN 0950-0170

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Abstract

Even before the onset of economic downturn in 2008–9, UK policy on employment, work and welfare had reached an impasse, with little evidence of new ideas, either in relation to the final years of New Labour or the Coalition Government, as to how to tackle deeply entrenched problems beyond adherence to neo-liberalism. This article explores whether a capabilities approach, as originally developed in the work of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, offers a potential framework for new thinking. It is argued that the capabilities approach is best thought of not as offering a detailed road map for policy, but as providing a critically different conceptualization of the purpose and principles of public policy. In seeking an alternative to neo-liberal hegemony a capabilities approach therefore can provide a framework for new thinking, and an underpinning ideological narrative from which policy development can flow.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute for Employment Research
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Policy sciences, Sen, Amartya, 1933-, Welfare state -- Great Britain, Labor policy -- Great Britain, Great Britain -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
Journal or Publication Title:	Work, Employment & Society
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0950-0170
Date:	June 2011
Volume:	Vol.25
Number:	No.2
Page Range:	pp. 352-360
Identification Number:	10.1177/0950017011403848
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	European Commission (EC)
Grant number:	CIT4-CT-2006-028549 FP6 (EC)
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37545

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