Capabilities and Skills

James Heckman and Chase O. Corbin ()
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Chase O. Corbin: Center for the Economics of Human Development (CEHD)

No 10005, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper discusses the relevance of recent research on the economics of human development to the work of the Human Development and Capability Association. The recent economics of human development brings insights about the dynamics of skill accumulation to an otherwise static literature on capabilities. Skills embodied in agents empower people. Enhanced skills enhance opportunities and hence promote capabilities. We address measurement problems common to both the economics of human development and the capability approach. The economics of human development analyzes the dynamics of preference formation, but is silent about which preferences should be used to evaluate alternative policies. This is both a strength and a limitation of the approach.

Keywords: freedom; capabilities; skills; technology of skill formation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D04 D31 D63 I31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2016-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-evo, nep-hpe, nep-ltv and nep-neu
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

Published - published in: Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2016, 17 (3), 342 - 359

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Related works:
Journal Article: Capabilities and Skills (2016)
Working Paper: Capabilities and Skills (2016)
Working Paper: Capabilities and Skills (2016)
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