Amartya Sen

What Are His Conferences Like?

Amartya Sen’s conferences are deeply intellectual yet accessible, combining academic rigor with a clear humanistic sensitivity. His talks address themes like social justice, economic development, and equality, emphasizing how public policies can improve the well-being of people in developing countries. With a reflective and data-driven approach, Sen offers his audience a profound understanding of the structural causes of poverty and inequality. His conferences are a unique opportunity to learn about the relationship between economics, ethics, and public policy, offering insights applicable in both academic contexts and government decision-making.

Selection of Conferences

Collective Choice and Social Welfare

In this conference, Amartya Sen explores social choice theory, discussing how collective decisions can impact the overall welfare of a society. With a focus on equity and social justice, Sen analyzes how voting mechanisms and resource distribution influence inequalities. His talk offers a critical perspective on democracy and public policy.

Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation

Amartya Sen examines the causes of famines and poverty through his “entitlement” theory, challenging traditional explanations that link famines solely to food shortages. Sen demonstrates how unequal resource distribution can lead to humanitarian crises, even when there is an abundance of goods.

Inequality Re-examined

In this lecture, Sen reflects on the various forms of inequality in modern societies, evaluating how it is measured and how it can be addressed. Through a detailed analysis of economic, social, and political inequality, he presents new ways to think about justice and human development.

Development and Freedom

Sen argues in this conference for the interrelation between economic development and individual freedoms. He asserts that development cannot be measured solely by economic growth but by people’s ability to live free and dignified lives. Sen shows how political, economic, and social freedom are essential components of human development.