Endowments, Entitlements and Capabilities – What Urban Social Movements Offer to Poverty Reduction

Diana Mitlin
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Diana Mitlin: 1] University of Manchester, Manchester, UK[2] International Institute for Environment and Development, London, UK. E-mails: Diana.mitlin@iied.org; diana.mitlin@manchester.co.uk

The European Journal of Development Research, 2013, vol. 25, issue 1, 44-59

Abstract: As the scale and depth of urban poverty is increasingly recognised, questions arise about what can be done to address it. The contribution of urban social movements has particularly been recognised with regard to collective consumption of goods and services due to their significance to survival and well-being. This article explores studies of three movements concerned with collective consumption – one in Peru, and two in South Africa. To understand and analyse their contribution, I draw on Sen (1999) and in particular his capability approach. The studies show that much social movement activity is designed to enhance and strengthen individual and collective capabilities. Other complementary activities are focussed on entitlements and endowments to enhance present and future capabilities and improve achieved functionings.Au fur et à mesure que l’ampleur et la profondeur du phénomène de la pauvreté urbaine sont reconnues, la question se pose de comment la combattre. La contribution des mouvements sociaux urbains est de plus en plus reconnue, surtout par rapport aux activités ciblées sur les biens et services de consommation collective, qui jouent un rôle significatif dans la survie et le bien-être. Ce papier examine des études réalisées sur trois mouvements s’intéressant à la consommation collective – un au Pérou et deux en Afrique du Sud. Pour comprendre et analyser leur contribution, je m’appuie notamment sur l’approche par les « capacités » développée par Sen (1999). Ces études montrent qu’une grande partie de l’activité de ces mouvements est destinée à valoriser et renforcer les capacités individuelles et collectives. D’autres activités complémentaires se concentrent sur les droits et les dotations en ressources dans le but de valoriser les capacités présentes et futures, et d’améliorer les « fonctionnements » acquis.

Date: 2013
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