Capabilities, Human Security and the Centrality of Sustainability

This chapter provides the background for the book tracing the history of the capabilities approach in Sen and Nussbaum’s work. It provides an introductory overall framework both to the capability and human security approaches. It argues that both Sen and Nussbaum should take on the topic of sustainability as it entails fundamental shifts in the way we understand the capability approach, not least in relation to future generations. The chapter also outlines the book as a whole.