Week 8 - Ideal Theory and Comparative Institutions Analysis Flashcards
What is Rawls’ concept of theorising for a ‘realistic utopia’?
Challenging the status quo while proposing principles of justice compatible with fixed aspects of the human condition.
What does Cohen’s Marxist/egalitarian theory critique about Rawls?
Cohen argues that Rawls is insufficiently idealistic and accepts some constraints that should not limit our aspirations for justice.
What are epistemic problems according to Cohen?
Challenges related to knowledge and understanding that necessitate some acceptance of a market economy.
What does Cohen reject as ‘non-ideal’?
Motivational constraints associated with assumptions of self-interest.
What is the main focus of this week’s session?
Comparing the properties of alternative political economic systems in normative evaluation.
How does Cohen view justice?
As fundamentally moral principles not overly constrained by facts about the human condition.
What does Cohen believe about capitalism’s compatibility with justice?
Theories supporting capitalism overemphasize human imperfections and unjustly compromise with capitalism.
What is the Camping Trip Thought Experiment meant to illustrate?
The ideals of community and equality that should guide social arrangements.
What conclusion does Cohen draw from the Camping Trip Thought Experiment?
We should aspire to a socialist society, akin to the ideals demonstrated during the camping trip.
What moral principle does Cohen associate with equality?
Not being paid more for undeserved talents.
What is the significance of community in Cohen’s argument?
It represents a morally desirable common endeavor that supersedes individual advantage.
What is Brennan’s view on ideal society?
An anarcho-capitalist society based on libertarian, voluntaryist principles.
What does the Micky Mouse Clubhouse Thought Experiment depict?
A society with extensive private property and voluntary exchanges reflecting different values.
What moral principle does Brennan associate with private property?
Essential for self-authorship and individual decision-making.
How do trade and markets function in Brennan’s ideal society?
They extend mutually beneficial cooperation and respect different value scales.
What is the difference between community ideals in capitalism and socialism according to Brennan?
Capitalism allows pluralism of values while socialism imposes a single conception of community.
What does Brennan mean by the ‘Cohen Fallacy’?
The failure to compare like with like in evaluating political economic ideals.
What is the importance of symmetrical idealisation in political economic comparisons?
To ensure that ideal forms of one regime are compared to ideal forms of another.
What does Brennan argue about motives in relation to regime types?
Motives should not be conflated with the characteristics of capitalism or socialism.
What is an empirical question in the context of capitalism and socialism?
Whether either system encourages fear or greed.
What does Brennan suggest about moral factors in regime evaluation?
The focus should be on moral factors rather than assumed human motivations.
