The capability approach

Research by many feminist economists bears a set of common methodological features, which Marilyn Power has identified as the social provisioning approach (SPA). This chapter argues that the synergy and overlap between the SPA and the capability approach (CA) is not only in the shared conceptualization of well-being. It shows how exactly the two frameworks coincide and explain how the CA can help to further develop the social provisioning methodology of feminist economics. The chapter looks at the first feature of the SPA that stresses that well-being should be the measure of economic success. The second feature of the SPA to feminist economics is that care and unpaid labor are recognized as fundamental economic activities. The third feature of the SPA to feminist economics is that ethical goals and values are an intrinsic part of the analysis. The fourth characteristic of the SPA to feminist economics is to fully consider intersectionality and human diversity.