Real Freedom for All: What (If Anything) Can Justify Capitalism?

ISBN-13: 9780198293576 / Angielski / Miękka / 1998 / 344 str.

Philippe Van Parijs

Opis

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.

Recenzje

Real Freedom for All is not just an exercise in political advocacy. It is an important piece of social philosophy on its own right. Although Van Parijs's main concern is to defend his own views, this book amounts to a critical guide through much of the recent literature on the topics it addresses. Professional philosophers will therefore find it stimulating and instructive, even as they take issue with one or another of its many controversial contentions.