Format:
xx, 277 pages ;
,
22 cm.
ISBN:
978-0-367-42662-0
,
978-0-367-42663-7
Series Statement:
Little debates about big questions
Content:
"A central contested issue in contemporary economics and political philosophy is whether governments should redistribute wealth. In this book, a philosopher and an economist debate this question. James Otteson argues that respect for individual persons requires that the government should usually not alter the results of free exchanges, and so redistribution is usually wrong. Steven McMullen argues that governments should substantially redistribute wealth in order to ensure that all have a minimal opportunity to participate in economic life. Over the course of the exchange, the authors investigate a number of important questions. Is redistribution properly a question of justice, and what is the appropriate standard? Has the welfare state been effective at fighting poverty? Can we expect government intervention in the economy to be helpful or counterproductive? Are our obligations to help the poor best met through government action, or through private philanthropy and individual charity? The book features clear statements of each argument, responses to counterarguments, in-text definitions, a glossary of key terms, and section summaries."--Provided by publisher
Note:
Foreword / Michael Munger -- Opening statements. Redistribution to expand economic opportunity / Steven McMullen -- Justifying wealth redistribution: can the high burden be met? / James R. Otteson -- First round of replies. Poverty, moral hazard, and the state: reply to James R. Otteson / Steven McMullen -- Difficulties with the wealth redistribution argument: reply to Steven McMullen / James R. Otteson -- Second round of replies. Distributive justice, economic growth, and the welfare state: reply to Otteson's reply / Steven McMullen -- How to care for the poor and how not to: reply to McMullen's reply / James R. Otteson
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Online-Ausgabe ISBN 978-0-367-85426-3
Language:
English
Subjects:
Economics
,
Philosophy
