Amartya Sen is an Indian economist and philosopher who is currently a professor at Harvard University. He won the Nobel prize for economics in 1998 for his work in welfare economics. In the London Review of Books, Glen Newey described Sen as “a heroic figure who has published major theoretical works in welfare economics, social choice theory and political philosophy, but has also been politically engaged.”
Further reading
Growth, democracy and China: A wide-ranging discussion with Amartya Sen about his latest book, An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions
Illusions of identity: Sen talks to Kenan Malik about multiculturalism and freedom
The Sen agenda: He has challenged the utilitarian roots of economics and redefined development policy, but how does he feel about India? asks Meghnad Desai
Getting India wrong: Economists such as Sen overlook the link between poverty and destruction of the environment, argues Partha Dasgupta
Sen and Sensibility: Sen’s philosophical writings on justice have much to teach politicians, says James Purnell
Return to World Thinkers 2014 voting form
