Poverty as Capability Deprevation

Most of poverty analysis is done in terms of income shortage. The poverty definition, poverty measurement, and other socio-economic policies related to this subject are followed by income-oriented view. However, poverty is influenced by many factors rather than only income. Since, we are ultimately concerned with the lives, we can lead (and income is only instrumentally important in helping us to lead adequate lives), we need to see poverty as the inability to meet some elementary and essential needs. If that view is taken, then seeing poverty as capability deprivation makes considerable sense. There is likely to be wide agreement that poverty exists when a person lacks seizing the real opportunity of avoiding hunger or malnutrition or homelessness. In this paper, we intend to discuss the idea of seeing poverty as capability deprevation and its differences with the income-base poverty.