How Positioning Theory and the Capability Approach to Welfare Economy Supplement One Another

This chapter aims at demonstrating how Positioning Theory (PT) and the capability approach to welfare economy (CA) are complementary to each other. First, the chapter distinguishes between a productive and a methodological feature of PT. Thereby the chapter explains how the social dynamics of repositioning according to the positioning triangle might answer to features of actual human encounters such as forms of attention and forms of respect among people. Second, the chapter points out that economic theory hinges on a similar combination of methodology and productive applicability. That is the sense in which economic theory is complementary to PT. It underscores the realistic character of PT. Third, the chapter shows how a recent form of economic theory, CA, invokes a methodology with many affinities to the methodology of PT in that CA addresses personal capabilities and their value within economic activity. Fourth, the chapter shows that the theoretical ambition of CA hinges on a weak spot concerning human motivation. The chapter criticizes CA in this respect and shows how PT might supplement CA on this issue. Applying PT within the framework of CA will bring forth possible drivers of economic action, which CA as such cannot underscore.