The Capability approach in theory & practice: a Case Study of UNDP's Area Development Programme Balochistan

Abstract

This study seeks to analyze the United Nations Development Programme’s Area Development Programme Balochistan through the lens of the Capability Approach and the Human Development Paradigm by the selection of some dimensions of the Capability Approach and the Human Development Paradigm. The selected dimensions for the analysis are material endowments, socio-economic dimension, freedom and expansion of human capabilities, environmental sustainability and the four principles of equity, sustainability, efficiency and empowerment from the Capability Approach and the Human Development Paradigm. Each one of the indicators have been applied on relevant project components to assess and evaluate whether the indicators of the Capability Approach and Human Development are fulfilling these criterion or not. In order to investigate this, the indicators on ADPB have been applied on two levels which are the project design level and the project implementation level which result in a two pronged analysis of the entire project, thus highlighting any disjuncture between the organizational ideology of Human Development (which is based upon the Capability Approach as promulgated by the UNDP) and their actual practice in terms of poverty alleviation.