Week 5 - Theories of Distributive Justice Flashcards
What is the main focus of the course in political economy discussed in the introduction?
How political theorists integrate the concerns of economists and political scientists into normative accounts of political economic institutions
What are the three different views on distributive justice set out in the session?
- Libertarian (Nozick)
- Liberal Egalitarian/Social Democratic (Rawls)
- Liberal Egalitarian/Social Democratic (Dworkin)
What is the key debate in normative philosophy regarding ‘ideal theorizing’?
To what extent should our views of what is normatively desirable be informed by considerations of what is practically achievable?
What ethical framework do Nozick, Rawls, and Dworkin reject?
Utilitarianism
What is the distinguishing feature of deontological theories?
They claim that some things should not be done to people irrespective of their effects on social welfare
What concept do deontologists emphasize regarding individual rights?
People are entitled to a basic set of rights that have value independent of their contribution to social utility
What philosophical influence is central to Nozick, Rawls, and Dworkin’s perspectives?
Kantian ideas
In the Trolley problem, what moral dilemma is presented?
Whether to flick a switch to save 5 lives at the cost of 1 life
In the Hospital problem, what is the ethical question posed?
Whether to kill a healthy person to harvest their organs for others
What are the three principles that constitute Nozickian justice?
- Justice in acquisition
- Justice as transfer
- Justice as rectification
What does Nozick believe about income redistribution as a matter of justice?
It is not required, except for justice as rectification
What is the Lockean Proviso in Nozick’s theory?
People may appropriate property if they leave enough and as good for others
How does Nozick view private ownership in relation to the poor?
The poor are no worse off under private ownership than they would be under socialism
What does Nozick suggest about pollution in relation to property rights?
Pollution should be treated as a tort, an invasion of private property
What is Rawls’ approach to distributive justice?
It is based on a rejection of utilitarianism and reflects a spirit of impartiality
What is the Original Position in Rawls’ theory?
A thought experiment where people select rules for their society under a veil of ignorance
What are considered basic liberties in Rawls’ theory?
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of occupation
- Press freedom
- Various political freedoms
- Ownership of one’s body
- Personal property
What is the Difference Principle in Rawls’ theory?
Inequalities are justifiable only if they benefit the least advantaged class
What is the critique from Nozickians regarding Rawls’ Difference Principle?
It uses the talents of the better off as a means to benefit the least advantaged
What role does political economic reasoning play in Rawls’ theory?
It informs the selection of principles that govern society and the regime type chosen
What is the Rawlsian difference principle?
It implies that any economic inequalities are justified only if they benefit the worst off in society.
What are the two regime types compatible with justice as fairness according to Rawls?
- Liberal socialism
- Property-owning democracy
What does Rawls argue about the influence of mid-20th century neo-classical economic thinking?
It reflects an indifference between systems based on public or private ownership.
What are the three branches of a justice satisfying political economic regime according to Rawls?
- Regulatory Branch
- Stabilisation Branch
- Transfer Branch
