Egalitarian Perspectives: Essays in Philosophical Economics - Softcover

Roemer, John E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521574455 ISBN 13: 9780521574457

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This book presents fifteen essays, written over the past dozen years, on egalitarianism. The essays explore contemporary philosophical debates on this subject, using the tools of modern economic theory, general equilibrium theory, game theory, and the theory of mechanism design. Egalitarian Perspectives is divided into four parts: the theory of exploitation; equality of resources; bargaining theory and distributive justice; and market socialism and public ownership. The first part presents Roemer's influential reconceptualisation of the Marxian theory of exploitation as a theory of distributive justice. The second part offers a critique of Ronald Dworkin's equality-of-resources theory, and puts forward a new egalitarian proposal based upon a specific method of measuring individual responsibility. The third part introduces a novel application of the theory of mechanism design to the study of political philosophy, and raises new concerns about the limitations of that application. The fourth part presents the author's views on market socialism and public ownership, and demonstrates that Professor Roemer is at the forefront of refining new theories and conceptions of market socialism.

About this title

Review:

'The essays John Roemer brings together in this collection are of the very highest caliber. This is work of great originality, intelligence, and scholarly competence that effortlessly straddles the boundaries between economics and philosophy.' Daniel Hausman, University of Wisconsin

Book Description:

This book presents fifteen essays, written over the past dozen years, on egalitarianism. The essays explore contemporary philosophical debates on this subject, using the tools of modern economic theory, general equilibrium theory, game theory, and the theory of mechanism design.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521574455
• ISBN 13: 9780521574457
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 372