148
H. Schlör et al.
Thus, in the following the capability approach will be presented. Its objective
is to leave the traditional welfare economics behind, which interpret the standard
of living only in terms of consumed goods [64]. In the first step, the conceptual
background of Sen’s capability approach will be discussed and its content-related
connection to the concept of worldwide reach of Hartmut Rosa will be elucidated.
In the second part, the two-step approach is presented to define the current status of
the German FEW-Nexus sectors and the impact of the German households on food,
energy and water resources. In a third step, the German capability index (GCI) is
presented, which enables the comparison of direct and indirect effects of the German
households’ consumption patterns in one index. Finally, some concluding remarks
and an outlook of further research recommendations will be made.
2 Conceptual Background—The Capability Approach
2.1 Capabilities, Functionings and Their Worldwide Reach
Capabilities (realization opportunities) describe a person’s opportunities of using her
or his functionings (abilities) to reach her or his place in society given the respective
personal skills [64]. They describe the possible paths of life available to a person
given her or his abilities. As such, capabilities are thus enablers of the “worldwide
reach expansion” of the modern times, defined by Hartmut Rosa as the categorical
imperative of the modern age [54]: Act at any time so that your world in reach becomes
larger [55]. This is done by the multiplication of goods, contacts and options which
increase with growing functionings. This new idea of modernity brings “more world
within reach”, to make more world understandable and consumable. Accordingly, the
consumption decisions of the households affect societies and communities around
the world [56].
Hartmut Rosa believes that the modern age is characterized by the central
endeavour of making the world more accessible in all social spheres and areas of life
[54]. In this sense, the human quest is a systematically increase of the range of what is
recognizable, controllable, attainable and available (in education, medicine, media,
politics, sports, etc.) based on the earned income [56]. The worldwide reach increases
with rising income. The available income and technology enable an increase in reach
of the households and are a symbol of the freedom of choice.
The higher the income the higher the worldwide reach of the consumption patterns
and the impact on the functionings and capabilities of people outside the own community and society. Thus, we revert to the capability approach to define measures for
quantifying the worldwide reach of the German households.
H. Schlör et al.
Thus, in the following the capability approach will be presented. Its objective
is to leave the traditional welfare economics behind, which interpret the standard
of living only in terms of consumed goods [64]. In the first step, the conceptual
background of Sen’s capability approach will be discussed and its content-related
connection to the concept of worldwide reach of Hartmut Rosa will be elucidated.
In the second part, the two-step approach is presented to define the current status of
the German FEW-Nexus sectors and the impact of the German households on food,
energy and water resources. In a third step, the German capability index (GCI) is
presented, which enables the comparison of direct and indirect effects of the German
households’ consumption patterns in one index. Finally, some concluding remarks
and an outlook of further research recommendations will be made.
2 Conceptual Background—The Capability Approach
2.1 Capabilities, Functionings and Their Worldwide Reach
Capabilities (realization opportunities) describe a person’s opportunities of using her
or his functionings (abilities) to reach her or his place in society given the respective
personal skills [64]. They describe the possible paths of life available to a person
given her or his abilities. As such, capabilities are thus enablers of the “worldwide
reach expansion” of the modern times, defined by Hartmut Rosa as the categorical
imperative of the modern age [54]: Act at any time so that your world in reach becomes
larger [55]. This is done by the multiplication of goods, contacts and options which
increase with growing functionings. This new idea of modernity brings “more world
within reach”, to make more world understandable and consumable. Accordingly, the
consumption decisions of the households affect societies and communities around
the world [56].
Hartmut Rosa believes that the modern age is characterized by the central
endeavour of making the world more accessible in all social spheres and areas of life
[54]. In this sense, the human quest is a systematically increase of the range of what is
recognizable, controllable, attainable and available (in education, medicine, media,
politics, sports, etc.) based on the earned income [56]. The worldwide reach increases
with rising income. The available income and technology enable an increase in reach
of the households and are a symbol of the freedom of choice.
The higher the income the higher the worldwide reach of the consumption patterns
and the impact on the functionings and capabilities of people outside the own community and society. Thus, we revert to the capability approach to define measures for
quantifying the worldwide reach of the German households.