Indigenous peoples and the capability approach: taking stock

Abstract

Ideas about how development is conceived, designed and implemented play an important role in determining whether and how indigenous peoples are able to pursue and realize self-determination. According to the human development and capability approach, people are the ends and means of development, understood as the expansion of capabilities people have reason to value. While conversations between the capability approach and indigenous communities are growing, the literature remains disparate and (largely) unpublished. The papers included in the first section of this special issue explore indigenous values as they apply to nature, the concept of indigenous autonomy in international law, as well as the realities of indigenous communities in Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. The second group of papers explores the usefulness of the human development and capability approach for indigenous peoples. The conclusions in this special issue range from the contention that the capability approach has severe limitations, to the contention that the approach provides helpful tools and insights.