Local cultural values and projects of economic development : an interpretation in the light of the capability approach

Abstract

The author focuses the reflection on the link between local cultural values and projects of economic development in light of Sen’s capability approach. He argues what people believe and value facilitate the passage from the universal conception of economic development to feasibility of development at the local level. Through 12 case studies, the book illustrates how the theoretical framework of Sen’s capability approach, namely the definition of freedom to self-determination and the definition of development as the expansion of people’s freedoms, applies in practice.