AbstractsEconomics

The thesis uses Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach (1993, 2000) to devise a set of criteria to evaluate the well-being and quality of life of economic groups in a case study of Magelang, a small rural area in Central Java, Indonesia. In applying this method, the researcher examines how the spatial characteristics of a place might present opportunity, freedom and capacities to its people. The fundamental conception of well-being in the capability approach is based on a set of attributes and on the level of ‘freedom to choose between various valuable states of being and doing’. The approach is tested through action research with local stakeholders to define the extent to which their environment offers them adequate capabilities to develop. With the author, participants evaluate the changes in agro-economic opportunities and the supporting asset base. The analysis distinguishes between five types of assets: individual tangible assets, public tangible assets, individual intangible assets, social institutional assets and economic institutional assets. Based on the comprehension of how assets influence capability and observation with regards to how people function with different assets, the thesis proposes to broaden theory in relation to capability. Further exploring theory, this thesis suggests that capability analysis could be used to measure the level of a community’s well-being, particularly as the result of development and to strategically guide planners in setting up priority and to creating greater awareness of the constraints and opportunities available to people. Therefore, the method could be applied to regional development planning and evaluation. Advisors/Committee Members: Strijker, Derk (assessment_committee), Arts, Eric (assessment_committee), Hari Wibisono, B. (Bambang) (assessment_committee).