FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY FULCRUMS : MASTER GLOBAL ESSAY

HUMANITY has always thrived to increase its functional capacity and transformative capabilities at all levels, from the individual to nations and states.

All modern innovations and unprecedented technologies are direct outcomes of the increased potential of humans, from inadequate utility of their potential to maximum use of their capacity to create, innovate and sustain.

Humans' functional capacity increased historically through the development of early institutions and empires in the global North, as described by Jared Diamond in his thesis on human fortune.

Later on, the thesis of Steven Pinker proved that the functional capacity of human beings could leapfrog with effective Civilizational growth.

Functional capacity here stands for maximising human potential and providing avenues to explore and utilize those functionalities that humans develop through dedicated struggles.

From developed industrial states that have created soft power by building the capacities of their citizens.

In his magnum opus book, Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen explains the functional structure of capacity building. In the literature of development studies, it is not the state's success to solely develop economies and not the functional virtues of citizens.

Building the functional capacity of citizens needs a dimensional approach, which emphasises the expansion of functional potential in multiple discourses.

For example, if a person has economic freedom but no political ability, social innovation exposure or protective security, it will create a lag in functional capacity.

For any state in global society to meet the goals of achieving GNH and GDP simultaneously, functional capacity is a multidimensional strategy.

Functional capacity building also increases the freedom and happiness index. The virtue of freedom leads to productive results.

Functional freedom results in a range of choices and capabilities people have rather than just monolithic economic wealth.

Therefore, focusing on the development of economies without consideration of interconnected freedoms like social freedoms [ opportunities to access education, and health ] AND 

Political freedom [ ability to express, participate in political processes and dissent ] is a problematic equation for sustainable growth in the 21st century.

The Essay continues. The World Students Society thanks M Wajahat Sultan.