SEN meets Self-determination theory (STD) Ryan and Deci
Autonomy and ability coincide in many cases but not always. Are values shaped by circumstances so they cannot imagine another way of living (Alkire)
Challenges to measurement: Although developed in context of poverty, useful for us. MULTIDIMENSIONALITY in different spheres of life (Alkire)
Challenges to measurement: ABILITY. Objective powers that a person enjoys/ uses (not values or interests) Alikre
Monitoring and evaluate changes in empowerment (Alikre)
Measurement: common measures are assess indicators (skills) and social capital assets. Not enough. Need measures of autonomy
Agency: An active abilitiy to make meaningful choices to envision and decide on options (Alsop Heinsohn in Alkire)
Agency / Communion: fundamental dimensions underlying social judgements (Abele 2007)
Intrinsic value of agency (for own sake? Or instrumental – Alikre; Sen
Measurement: Empowerment is a agency and ability (Alikre)
Agency: A person’s ability to act on behalf of what matters to her or him (Alkire, Sen)
Connections to culture/ IM. Agency expands self. Independence vs interdependence (Culture / Hofstede) Abele
IM: Agentic traits can be socially useful but don’t have to be. The more goal attainment of others benefited participant, more value on agency (Abele)
Challenges to measurement: Not captured by one indicator. AUTONOMY AND ABILITY Alkire
Autonomy: reason to value
Effect of social structures on existing power relationships.Independent of social structures or sharply influenced (Alkire, Sen)
Agency primarily related to the interests of self (Abele)
Autonomy in agency: need to understand the value of the respondants
Challenges to measurement: respond to people’s values (rather than just a focus on ability)
Causality (mainly in context of poverty) connection to cultural factors may be relevant to education (Alkire)
Policy: Entry points. When is it effective to raise consciousness, when to mobilize, organise participatory acitivy (Alkire, Sen)
