Distributive Justice

1
Distributive Justice

• The central question of distributive justice is
  the question of how the benefits and burdens of
  our lives are to be distributed.
• Justice involves giving each person his or her
  due.
• Equals are to be treated equally.

2
Basis for Distribution

• On what basis should goods be distributed?
• Equality
• Individual needs or preferences
• Market transactions
• Ability to make best use of the goods

3
The Veil of Ignorance John Rawls

• Imagine that people were asked to determine a
  system of justice for a society without knowing
  there own circumstances within that society (the
  veil of ignorance)
• Each person would act out of self interest to
  devise a system that would create the least
  disadvantage for everyone (and themselves!)

4
A probable outcome

• Maximise Liberty
• Each person is to have an equal right to the most
  extensive total system of equal basic liberties
  compatible with a system of liberty for all.
• Minimise inequalities
• Social inequalities are to be allowed only if
• Social advantages are open to all under
  conditions of fair equality of opportunity
• to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged
• 1 must be satisfied prior to 2, and 2a prior to 2b

5
Differential Rewards

• The Difference Principle The extent to which we
  should allow differences in distribution.
• Strict Equality
• If a system of strict equality would maximize the
  position of the least advantaged in society, then
  we should have strict equality.
• Planned Inequality
• If it is possible to improve the position of the
  least advantaged further by inequality of income
  and wealth then we should increase inequality to
  the point where the position of the least
  advantaged can no longer be raised.

6
Critics of the Difference Principle

• Strict Egalitarians
• We ought not treat anyone differently
• Utilitarian
• It does not maximise the good
• Libertarian
• Infringes personal liberties through taxation,
  etc.
• Desert-based theorists
• We ought to reward hard work even when it doesnt
  help the disadvantaged
• Undermines ambition

7
Resource-Based Approaches Ronald Dworkin

• Accepting Consequences
• People who choose to work hard to earn more
  income should not be required to subsidise those
  choosing more leisure and less income.
• But
• People should not suffer the consequences of
  circumstances over which they have no control
• people born with handicaps, ill-health, or low
  levels of natural endowments have not brought
  these circumstances upon themselves

8
Other Approaches

• Welfare Based
• Utilitarianism
• We ought to maximize well-being of society as a
  whole
• Desert-Based
• Seek to raise the overall standard of living by
  rewarding effort and achievement
• People should be rewarded for their actual
  contribution or effort

9
Libertarianism Robert Nozick

• People own themselves.
• The world is initially unowned.
• You can acquire a disproportionate share of the
  world as long you do not worsen the condition of
  others.
• It is relatively easy to acquire a
  disproportionate share of the world.
• And, since people own themselves
• When private property has been appropriated, a
  free market in capital and labour is morally
  required.

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Application Criteria

• How are the health resources to be allocated
  fairly?
• The same amount to each person?
• Divided according to ability to use them?
• Divided according to productive success in using
  them?
• Divided according to need?
• Higher percentage to those most in need?