Instrumental Freedoms and Human Capabilities

If Afghanistan, through its turmoil and struggles, succeeds in containing its drug trade, and cultivating a sound or even vibrant economy through concrete measures such as opening new markets, improving contract enforcement, extending the rule of law and building access roads, this will rightly merit praise and admiration. If the Afghani people also attain freedom from undernourishment – something which reportedly 70% of Afghanis did not enjoy in 2004 – this will also undoubtedly generate warm acclaim. The question is how these freedoms – for both may be called that – relate to one another? How do the intrinsically valued human freedoms: being nourished, being educated, being loved, being healthy, doing good work – relate to instrumental freedoms such as financial transparency, economic opportunity, political freedom, and protective security?