Recent scholarship has considered the requirements of justice and economic regimes in the work of John Rawls. This work has not delved into the requirements of justice and liberal socialism as deeply as the work that ... more abstractRecent scholarship has considered the requirements of justice and economic regimes in the work of John Rawls. This work has not delved into the requirements of justice and liberal socialism as deeply as the work that has been done on property-owning democracy. A thorough treatment of liberal socialism and the requirements of justice is needed. This paper seeks to begin to fill this gap. In particular, it needs to be shown if liberal socialism fully answers the requirements of justice better than property-owning democracy. It will be argued that liberal socialism does significantly better in realizing the two principles. This paper has the following structure, first, an overview of Rawls' position on economic regimes, capitalism, and the requirements of justice will be presented. In particular, how the two principles work in tandem to meet the demands of distributive justice will be considered. Second, a review of property-owning democracy will be conducted. Finally, liberal socialism will be examined and discussed as an economic regime that answers the requirements of justice more fully.

Distributive Justice, John Rawls, Liberal Socialism, and Property-Owning Democracy

This paper will examine the three distributive problems of inequality, social scarcity, and environmental decay. All three of these problems are the result of economic growth that is not properly structured by institu... more abstractThis paper will examine the three distributive problems of inequality, social scarcity, and environmental decay. All three of these problems are the result of economic growth that is not properly structured by institutions. It will be argued that each one of these distributive problems exacerbates the other two. Any solution to one of these problems must address the other two as well. This paper will show that these three distributive problems can be minimized through a combination of tax measures, institutional changes, public employment creation, public service provision, and the nationalization of certain industries.

Ecological Economics, Environmental Ethics, and Fred Hirsch

This paper will argue that social scarcity exacerbates environmental decay. First, this paper will provide a review of Hirsch work on social scarcity from his work the Social Limits to Growth. Next, an extension of Hi... more abstractThis paper will argue that social scarcity exacerbates environmental decay. First, this paper will provide a review of Hirsch work on social scarcity from his work the Social Limits to Growth. Next, an extension of Hirsch's argument concerning the social waste of positional competition will be applied to environmental decay. Third, it will be argued that environmental decay converts environmental services into positional goods. The final sections will discuss Hirsch's recommendations for minimizing positional competition and include possible extensions of Hirsch's argument.

Ecological Economics, Environmental Ethics, and Fred Hirsch

Abstract: This paper will show how four theories of distributive justice and two theories of economic distribution and poverty minimization handle the problem of environmental decay and resource loss. The four distrib... more abstractAbstract: This paper will show how four theories of distributive justice and two theories of economic distribution and poverty minimization handle the problem of environmental decay and resource loss. The four distributive justice theories include classical utilitarianism and the theories of Rawls, Nozick, and G.A. Cohen. The two economic theories include the basic income grant and the job guarantee. Each of the six theories will be briefly reviewed and then each of them will be evaluated for how they approach the possibility of resource loss. It will be argued that the theoretical basis for a job guarantee offers interesting insights into the distributive problems of environmental decay.

Environmental Philosophy, Egalitarianism, Environmental Ethics, Distributive Justice, John Rawls, and 8 more

Not until recently has it been demonstrated by use of the social contract model that private property is not the most advantageous ownership condition. New arguments have demonstrated that ownership conditions other t... more abstractNot until recently has it been demonstrated by use of the social contract model that private property is not the most advantageous ownership condition. New arguments have demonstrated that ownership conditions other than private property can be advantageous choices within the social contract model. But, these models have not fully pursued the topic of what distribution types will be chosen within the social contract model. As these new arguments have demonstrated the advantage of non-private property ownership, it can also be demonstrated that the selection of non-market distribution is also advantageous. The desirability of non-market distribution increases when there is a relaxation of the conditions of identical abilities, identical preferences, and risk hedging. When people have different abilities, different preferences, and incomplete knowledge the advantage of non-market distribution types increases. The topic of what types of distribution are commensurate with different ownership conditions has not been sufficiently pursued with the use of the social contract model. Different ownership conditions and different types of distribution will affect the strategies of rational self-interested behavior.

Social Contract Theory, Distributive Justice, John Rawls, Ronald Dworkin, Robert Nozick, and 3 more

More Info: This paper was writen a few years ago.

Distributive Justice, John Rawls, Socialism, Ethics and economics, Egalitarian distributive justice, and 1 more

Distributive Justice, John Rawls, Ethics and economics, Egalitarian distributive justice, and G.A.Cohen

Political Economy, Markets, Socialism, Egalitarian distributive justice, Economic Planning, and 2 more

This essay was written as an introduction to the Feuerbach section of the German Ideology.

Marxism, Historical Materialism, Karl Marx, and German Ideology

"The Social Thought of Karl Marx is an introductory work for students in the social sciences and the humanities. It can be used by undergraduate students, graduate students, scholars, and general readers. The book is ... more abstract"The Social Thought of Karl Marx is an introductory work for students in the social sciences and the humanities. It can be used by undergraduate students, graduate students, scholars, and general readers. The book is written for people who have no previous knowledge of Karl Marx's work. Nonetheless, readers with some knowledge of Marx will also find the presentation to be helpful. The Social Thought of Karl Marx contains ten chapters organized to assist readers learn the general themes, categories, and applications of Marx's ideas. Topics covered in the chapters include the intellectual climate of his time, alienation, class, historical materialism, exploitation, ideology, economic crises, communism, and environmental decay. Marx's thought was focused on analyzing the structure, development, and problems of capitalist economies. Accordingly, The Social Thought of Karl Marx takes Marx's research on capitalism as its center-point. An outline of the basic features of capitalism is presented in the first chapter along with common defenses and criticisms of its outcomes. Marx's categories and ideas are individually discussed in light of his critique of capitalism. A chapter is devoted to Marx's statements concerning capitalism's impact on the environment. This addition is timely due to the recent resurgence of the field of Ecological Marxism. Each chapter concludes with a set of questions to assist in developing applications based on Marx's thought and to consider their cogency. A glossary has been added to help readers in learning Marx's terminology. The final chapter contains a set of additional readings to provide people a starting point for their future studies. Contents: 1. The World of Karl Marx 2. Marx's Materialism 3. Alienation 4. Class 5. Historical Materialism 6. Economis 7. Ideology 8. Communism 9. Capitalism and the Environment 10. Further Readings"

Sociology, Economics, Marxism, and Karl Marx

Publisher: Sage

Publication Date: 2014

This work analyses Marx's philosophy of nature and shows how it is the basis for his practical philosophy. Previous analysis of Marx's philosophy of nature has considered humans as only natural beings and social being... more abstractThis work analyses Marx's philosophy of nature and shows how it is the basis for his practical philosophy. Previous analysis of Marx's philosophy of nature has considered humans as only natural beings and social beings. But, Marx analyzed humans' relationship to the natural world and to themselves as natural, social, and material. This material feature of human action can server as a basis for social critique and as the foundation for a practical analysis. The first chapter of this book analyzes Marx's philosophy of nature from his early to late works and argues that humans are natural begins that use nature to develop new capacities. This consideration is central in Marx's critiques of Hegel and Feuerbach. The second chapter discusses Marx's material critique of social forms and discusses why the distinction between material action and social action is a key component of Marx critique of capitalism. This chapter also discusses industrial history, ideology, wages, justice, and valorization. The third and final chapter builds on Marx's materialist analysis to develop a standard of practical action that takes human's material activity as its basis. This chapter also discusses classical historical materialist claims, liberal ethical theories, and a practical philosophic consideration of socialism.

Karl Marx

Publication Date: 2009

This dissertation explains Karl Marx’s understanding of nature, human action, and a materialist standard of practical action. Marx’s understands natural processes as not identical with human action. There are two ty... more abstractThis dissertation explains Karl Marx’s understanding of nature, human action, and a materialist standard of practical action. Marx’s understands natural processes as not identical with human action. There are two types of human action for Marx: material action and social action. Material action can use natural processes. Social action does not directly use natural processes, but social action can promote how material action uses natural processes. The difference between natural processes, material action, and social action is important for Marx since it: maintains the independent reality of nature, maintains the development of material accomplishments as separate from social forms, and demonstrates the transitory status of social forms. This difference between material action and social action allows Marx to criticize certain social forms while praising the productive possibilities of the current level of technical development. A practical standard is developed using Marx’s understanding of nature and human action. This practical standard is based on humans’ necessary relationship to natural processes. Beneficial outcomes according to humans’ material abilities and their existence as natural beings is established by application of the practical standard. The materialist standard of practical action can be understood as an ethical theory that is not based on traditional ethical criteria.

Karl Marx

Social Contract Theory, Hobbes, Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, John Locke, and 1 more

Welfare State, John Rawls, and PPE

Sociology, Economics, Marxism, Class, and Karl Marx

Sociology, Economics, Marxism, and Karl Marx

Sociology, Economics, Marxism, Communism, and Karl Marx

Sociology, Economics, Environmental Economics, Marxism, Karl Marx, and 1 more