Freedom and achievement of well-being and adaptive dynamics of capabilities

Abstract

Extending D'Agata (2007, Journal of Socio-Economics, 36, pp. 177-90), we consider adaptive dynamics of capabilities. In terms of the two-way evaluation of well-being à la Sen, we show the existence of a distribution of goods equalizing well-being freedom (achievement) of each individual, the total amount of goods being fixed. On the other hand, by means of counter examples, we exemplify that two closely related focal variables can move in reverse directions (goods vs. well-being, or freedom vs. achievement). In a dynamic context, one's well-being achievement may decrease even with an increase in goods available, while, ceteris paribus, his/her well-being freedom increases. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.