Real Freedom for All: What (if anything) can justify capitalism? / Edition 1

by Philippe Van Parijs

Overview

Capitalist societies are full of unacceptable inequalities. Freedom is of paramount importance. These two convictions are widely shared across the world, yet they seem to be completely contradictory with each other. Fighting inequality jeopardizes freedom, and taking freedom seriously boosts inequality. Can this conflict be resolved? In this ground-breaking book, Philippe Van Parijs sets out a new and compelling case for a just society. Assessing and rejecting the claims of both socialism and conventional capitalism, he presents a clear and compelling alternative vision of the just society: a capitalist society offering a substantial and unconditional basic income to all its members. Not just an exercise in political theory, this book goes on to show what his ideal of a free society means in the real world by drawing out its policy implications. It will be essential reading for anyone concerned about the just society and the welfare state as we move into the twenty-first century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198293576
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/08/1998
Series:	Oxford Political Theory
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	9.34(w) x 6.06(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1670L (what's this?)

About the Author

Philippe Van Parijs is a Professor of Economic and Social Ethics at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.

Table of Contents

1. Capitalism, Socialism, and Freedom2. The Highest Sustainable Basic Income3. Undominated Diversity4. Jobs as Assets5. Exploitation versus Real Freedom6. Capitalism Justified

Editorial Reviews

"The most forceful and sophisticated advocate of basic income from [a principled] angle."—Journal of Political Philosophy

"This is clearly an importasnt work in political theory. It's superbly written and argued, full of insights from economic theory. More importantly, it is, broadly speaking, right. . . .Van Parijs's book .... makes clear that he is among the leading contemporary theorists."—Ethics

"A highly original defense of capitalism's legitimacy....First-rate analysis, not the least because it confronts theories of justice at the intersection between philosophy and economics."—Choice

From the Publisher