Humanity has always strived 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 civilisational growth. Functional capacity here stands for maximising human potential and providing avenues to explore and utilise those functionalities that humans develop through dedicated struggles. From developed industrial states that have created soft power by building the capacities of their citizens, Pakistan can learn the lessons of functional capacity building.
In his magnum opus book, Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen explains the functional structure of capacity building. In the literature of developmental 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.
Freedom is the End and Means of functional capacity building. Pakistan’s policy-making should focus on developing freedom by building adequate functional capacity among its citizens. There should be three considerations to increase immediate functional capacity building for citizens. First and foremost, multiple avenues should be developed to access and utilise human potential to create an innovative state that creates a productive citizenry. The second consideration should be a helping hand to achieve perceptual change through social innovation. The shift in consciousness and thinking capacity will help people diversify their options and choices. The third factor is development of adequate social safety and adequate survival instincts of people in times of famines, poverty and deprivation.
Some of our social issues are not singular in nature and extent – for example, poverty. Poverty is not the only deprivation of wealth. It is a lack of access to health, education and employment. It decreases people’s functional mobility. Our policymakers should consider that such issues do not exist in isolation. Therefore, we need more systematic development policy-making to increase people’s capacity to utilise their potential.
To summarise this idea, Pakistan must invest in developing people’s functional capacities to emerge as a global economy and political power. Without state citizens’ productive, functional roles in the economy, social opportunities and political regulation, no state can be an incredible asset for global powers in the 21st century.
