Capabilities and Age Discrimination

This chapter explores the particular relevance and usefulness of the capabilities approach (CA) to age discrimination in the workplace. It argues that the CA provides a fresh theoretical framework for addressing significant barriers experienced by older workers in the labour market. First, the obstacles to attaining and maintaining decent work posed by ageism are examined against Sen’s idea of the real substantive freedom to lead lives we have reason to value and Nussbaum’s idea of core entitlements implicit in the notion of life worthy of the dignity of a human being. Second, the CA provides a strong critique of the popular view that age discrimination is a reasonable way of ordering our society by distributing benefits and burdens over a lifespan. Third, the CA’s sensitivity to variations in need highlights heterogeneity within the group of older workers and advances the consideration of intersectionality issues. Finally, the CA is useful in justifying positive action policies that shift responsibility back to governments.