Capabilities in a Just Society: A Theory of Navigational Agency

Citizens should have the ability to move freely between social practices and be embedded in them, according to Rutger Claassen's book. He argues that for navigational agency, people need three sets of core capabilities: human empowerment, socio-economic subsistence, and political participation. This provides an alternative to the capability approach to social justice and strengthens its liberal foundations.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 278 pages
\n Publication date: 08 April 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
\n

In his book, Rutger Claassen presents a comprehensive theory of what he calls "navigational agency," which aims to empower citizens to freely navigate between different social practices. This theory emphasizes the balance between individual freedom and autonomy and the embeddedness of individuals in social contexts. Claassen argues that for individuals to possess navigational agency, they require three essential capabilities: the ability to empower themselves within civil society, a decent level of socio-economic sustenance, and active participation in democratic decision-making processes.

The book argues that the concept of navigational agency offers an alternative perspective to the dominant capability approach to social justice, strengthening its liberal foundations. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interdependence of individuals and social practices, and advocates for a more inclusive and equitable society that fosters the development of all individuals' capabilities.

Claassen's theory of navigational agency provides valuable insights into the nature of social justice and the role of individuals in shaping their own lives and societies. It challenges the notion of individualism and promotes a more holistic understanding of human development and well-being. By advocating for the development of core capabilities that enable individuals to navigate freely between social practices, Claassen seeks to create a more just and inclusive world.

\n Weight: 414g\n
Dimension: 152 x 293 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108461122\n \n