The Ethics and the Economics of Minimalist Government - Hardcover

Roth, Timothy P.

 
9781840646764: The Ethics and the Economics of Minimalist Government
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 1840646764 ISBN 13: 9781840646764
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

Because it is technically flawed and morally bankrupt, the author argues, the economist's consequence-based, procedurally detached theory of the state has contributed to the growth of government. As part of the Kantian-Rawlsian contractarian project, this book seeks to return economics to its foundations in moral philosophy. Given the moral equivalence of persons, the greatest possible equal participation must be promoted, persons must be impartially treated and, because it is grounded in consequentialist social welfare theory (SWT), the economist's theory of the state must be rejected. Ad hoc deployment of SWT has facilitated discriminatory rent seeking and contributed to larger government. In contrast, this book argues that equal political participation and a constitutional impartiality constraint minimize rent seeking, respect individual perceptions of the 'public good' and underwrite the legitimacy of government. Economists, moral philosophers and political scientists will find this book a unique contribution to the literature.

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About the Author

Timothy P. Roth, A.B. Templeton Professor and Chairman, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Texas, El Paso, US

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Publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publication date
2002
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1840646764
ISBN 13 
9781840646764
Binding
Hardcover
Number of pages
144