Bentham or Aristotle in the Development Process? An Empirical Investigation of Capabilities and Subjective Well-Being

B-Tier
Journal: World Development
Year: 2015
Volume: 68
Issue: C
Pages: 163-179

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Life evaluations and emotional states are distinct subjective well-being (SWB) components. We explore the relationship between opportunities and SWB dimensions, distinguishing between actual capabilities and means (education, employment, and income) and perceived opportunities (autonomy and health perceptions and belief in hard work). We find a link between capabilities and SWB (particularly, life evaluations), which varies across world regions. Capabilities can be associated with stress and anger; and seem to matter the least for the happiest respondents. We also explore the determinants of the least studied well-being dimension: eudaimonia, or life purpose, which is an underlying objective of the development process.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:wdevel:v:68:y:2015:i:c:p:163-179
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25