Liberty, Desert and the Market: A Philosophical Study

Book Description

Defenders of the free market argue that inequalities of income are "just" because they are deserved, and that they are what free individuals are entitled to. Far from supporting free market inequalities, this book argues that, when we examine the principle of "desert" and the notions of "liberty" and "choice" invoked by defenders of the free market, the conception of justice that would accommodate these notions calls for their elimination. The book will be of interest to readers in political philosophy, political theory, and normative economics.

Less Than Two Dollars a Day: A Christian View of World Poverty and the Free Market

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World Poverty and Economics 101
Thoughtful analysis of free market economies and poverty

Less Than Two Dollars a Day: A Christian View of World Poverty and the Free Market
Kent A. Van Til
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 080281767X

Customer Reviews:

World Poverty and Economics 101.......2007-06-12

I really enjoyed this book. It is well layed out and thouroughly researched. If you don't know how we got to our economy today, this book will give you a complete picture from Adam Smith until now. You also get an in depth look at the Christian viewpoint and how the Bible intertwines with the market economies. I enjoyed reading on the concept of spheres and how we all relate to each other.

The last chapter was my favorite because it really puts the world poverty problem in front of you as Van Til gives statistics about poverty and getting rid of it. Only $100 per year per adult...interesting that it doesn't seem too far out of the realm of posibilities.

This is an excellent book for anyone looking into world poverty. VanTil not only tells us about it in other countries, he tells of his first hand experiences with it in Latin America.

Thoughtful analysis of free market economies and poverty.......2007-03-26

As a former missionary to Costa Rica and current professor of Religion at Hope College, Van Til brings both personal experience and solid ethical scholarship into this fascinating review. His explanation of the development and nuances of free market economics is clear and well illustrated, and offers six profound reasons why poverty does not automatically disappear in these societies (worth the price of the book alone).

"What the Bible Says about Poverty" is short and basic, as is Van Til's review of church history on wealth and poverty. He affirms a Kuyperian/Dooyeweerdian "sphere sovereignty" approach to social development in which government promotes social justice. Van Til sees free market economies as generally beneficial, but calls for morally invested care that redistributes perhaps $100-200 a year from haves to assist have-nots.

Putting his money where his heart is, all profits from the sale of this book will go toward poverty relief and community development.

War, Racism and Economic Justice: The Global Ravages of Capitalism

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History Will Absolve
One of the most important voices of our time
not hard to believe & easy to read
Hard to Read harder to Believe
Fine survey of world's problems and their cause - capitalism

War, Racism and Economic Justice: The Global Ravages of Capitalism
Fidel Castro , and Alexandra Keeble
Manufacturer: Ocean Press (AU)
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1876175478

Book Description

In a timely analysis of international events, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the "war against terrorism," Fidel Castro discusses issues of globalization and the growing phenomenon of global apartheid.

Customer Reviews:

History Will Absolve.......2006-05-09

With incredible wisdom, erudition and experience Castro touches on all the major issues of our time in this concise and spectacular book. Over 500 years of imperialism and exploitation against the Caribbean, South America and Central America are addressed. One consistent theme he constantly refers to is the need for solidarity amongst all of the Latin people of the Western Hemisphere.

Interesting sections of the book deal with the living standards in Cuba that have all gone in a positive, life-affirming direction since the ouster of Batista in the late 1950s and the onset of the revolution's socio-economic programs. Literacy rates, infant mortality, vaccinations, poverty levels, employment rates - in all of these categories the common Cuban folks are the envy of the rest of the Latin American masses who are gripped by incredible levels of poverty and crushing exploitation.

Fidel also includes insightful chapters expounding on the speculative global economy that has developed since Nixon's dismantling of the Bretton Wood system in the early 1970s. It's an economy that hinges on the machinations of international financiers making computerized currency trades in a matter of seconds. Castro alludes to its unsustainability since it's a system that has virtually nothing to do with the substantive manufacture of goods and services. Instead, daily by the minute currency speculation and financial bubbles dictate global capitalism. Of course along with addressing this relatively recent phenomenon the book also includes a fair critique of the FTAA.

Most interesting is a chapter consisting entirely of the speech Castro delivered to the International Conference on Racism in South Africa two weeks prior to the September 11th attacks. He admonishes the Israeli and United States attendees for thumbing their noses to the conference by walking out when Palestinian rights were broached.

It is books such as this magnificent offering by Ocean Press that will help keep the spirit and hope of the Cuban revolution alive for eternity. History will indeed absolve Fidel, his comrades, and all the other Latin American liberation movements for having the bravery and compassion for humankind to attempt to rid themselves of the neo-colonialism and maldevelopment that has been their lot.

One of the most important voices of our time.......2005-04-24

"War, Racism and Economic Injustice" is not a treatise on the title subject per se but rather is a collection of speeches delivered by Fidel Castro between January 2000 and November 2001. In these coherent and passionate presentations, Mr. Castro distinguishes himself as possibly the most important, if not most misunderstood, critic of globalization and an articulate spokesperson for the invisible poor of the Third World. Indeed, Mr. Castro's unique life experiences and demonstrated ability to persuasively speak truth to power definitively distinguishes him from all other current world leaders.

The opening chapter is an interview with Mr. Castro in which he condemns the U.S. political system as undemocratic inasmuch as it is controlled by mega corporations, who have imposed "apartheid throughout the world" through the imposition of an unjust economic order. Mr. Castro goes on to credit the Cuban people for their durability in surviving the illegal U.S. economic embargo and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and asks for the forgiveness of debt on behalf of the poor nations of the world. Throughout the interview, Mr. Castro reveals myriad aspects of his personality, including intellectualism, humanitarianism, self-confidence and humor.

The following 14 speeches are delivered on a range of topics delivered at major cities including the United Nations, Harlem, Caracas, Panama City, Quebec, South Africa and of course, Havana. Reading the content of these speeches, one is impressed with Mr. Castro's ability to deliver relevant content that could not have failed to resonate with their diverse audiences. While Mr. Castro often supports his statements with thorough research and consistently presents a well-reasoned, cogent argument, the urgency of his still-revolutionary message fairly leaps off the page.

One of the key themes articulated by Mr. Castro is the problem of capitalist consumer culture and the unequal distribution of resources which in turn is leading the world inexorably towards environmental, social and economic disaster. Mr. Castro astutely connects the historic abuse and slavery of indigenous peoples and imperialism with the impoverishment of the citizens of the Third World today. Cuba's embrace of socialism and its successes with respect to education, health care and democracy are compared favorably with the fate of many others who have been suffering from the ill effects of globalization, including the poor of the industrialized nations and a growing class of impoverished people living within the U.S. and Europe. In my view, it is ironic that Mr. Castro's message contains many truths about what may need to be done to create a sustainable and just world economy that would help guarantee prosperity for all, although it is often the case that opinion leaders in the wealthy nations attempt to discredit him and his ideas.

For example, the final two speeches on the U.S. war on terrorism are noteworthy for their insight into current events and how all nations might collectively work together to resolve difficult issues. Delivered mere weeks after the attacks of September 11, 2001 Mr. Castro's keen political observations have proven to be prescient, including the attribution of fanaticism to both the Islamic fundamentalists and U.S. leadership, as well as his prediction that George W. Bush would probably use the crisis to further an extreme right-wing political agenda. However, Mr. Castro displays considerable statesmanship by opposing both terrorism and war, saying that "thinking and conscience can be stronger than terror and death" and calling for peace and international cooperation to help resolve differences between nations.

I encourage everyone to read this remarkably thought-provoking and inspiring book written by one of the most important voices of our time.

not hard to believe & easy to read.......2004-12-20

I enjoyed most of this book - it started to get old towards the end because Castro recycles material from earlier speeches. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to anyone.

Hard to Read harder to Believe.......2004-10-05

Fidel Castro Lover of Humanity? This book is a poor excuse for a bad propaganda piece. Castro rails at capitalism but refuses to point the finger at the real culprit of Cuba's economic demise (himself). Only some lunatic and blind socialist could read this book without bending over from laughter or being totally revolted. Those who still believe Castro' or his revolution are anything but an abject failure or a crime against humanity will undoubtedly enjoy this trash. His statistics are not independently corrobarated, but that won't matter to any good socialist.

Fine survey of world's problems and their cause - capitalism.......2004-07-06

This book contains a selection of Fidel's speeches given between June 2000 and November 2001. A portrait of a great and humane man emerges from these pages. He addresses a remarkable variety of subjects, but always links them to their root cause, our continued tolerance of the unjust and unworkable economic disorder that is capitalism.

He defends Cuba's exceptional achievements in the fields of health and education, pointing out that in Cuba life expectancy is remarkably high. He upholds Cuba's democracy as more full and just than the parliamentary democracy that we increasingly reject.

He notes that more Cuban doctors and health workers are providing free medical services in Third World countries than at any previous time. They are training 5000 Latin American medical students to become doctors in Latin America. Cuban doctors have set up medical schools in Gambia and Equatorial Guinea to educate doctors to live and work in Africa, not to poach them, as the Blair government does. Cuban doctors are working to assist African countries to cope with the devastations of AIDS.

War, terrorism and economic crisis are all born of an unsuccessful and unsustainable political and economic order. Fidel deplores the fact that the US government holds the sole veto power in the IMF and the World Bank, which prevents these bodies from being changed from tools of destruction. Fidel asserts that theft of resources and of capital from Third World countries equals genocide, and looking at the huge numbers of unnecessary child deaths in those countries, one can only agree.

He warns against recourse to war as a solution to problems. Instead, he proposes that the UN Security Council, an executive body, should be subordinated to the democratic legislature of the General Assembly.

Amazon.com

While not meant to be an overarching "theory of justice" Cass Sunstein's book supplies many of the theoretical components any grand theory ought to include. In the broadest terms, this collection of articles argues that achieving social justice should be of greater importance than the purity of free markets. Markets, he argues, are themselves only possible through political guarantees of rights and the rule of law, and they should be subordinate to discussions of justice. Sunstein considers seven principles that clarify what is at stake in contemporary discussions of law and economics, often exposing unfounded assumptions of libertarians and free market devotees, yet never losing sight of the value of markets and the goods they procure. Insightful chapters on the formation of preferences, the diversity of human goods, the context dependence of choice, and the vexing problems of rationality blend the author's broad knowledge of contemporary philosophy, his command of legal history and philosophy, and a solid grasp of economic theory. Those looking for sound and challenging thinking on these topics have an excellent source in this volume.

Book Description

The newest work from one of the most preeminent voices writing in the legal/political arena today, this important book presents a new conception of the relationship between free markets and social justice. The work begins with foundations--the appropriate role of existing "preferences," the importance of social norms, the question whether human goods are commensurable, and issues of distributional equity. Continuing with rights, the work shows that markets have only a partial but instrumental role in the protection of rights. The book concludes with a discussion on regulation, developing approaches that would promote both economic and democratic goals, especially in the context of risks to life and health. Free Markets and Social Justice develops seven basic themes during its discussion: the myth of laissez-faire; preference formation and social norms; the contextual character of choice; the importance of fair distribution; the diversity of human goods; how law can shape preferences; and the puzzles of human rationality. As the latest word from an internationally-renowned writer, this work will raise a number of important questions about economic analysis of law in its conventional form.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Read!.......2001-03-20

Cass R. Sunstein's book is a serious piece of scholarship about very engaging legal and social issues concerning economics and law. The book derives both strengths and weaknesses from its beginnings as a series of lectures presented from 1990 to 1995. Each chapter presents a thoughtful thesis, but not all chapters link together in a clearly understandable manner. However, a reader who is prepared to put in the required effort, will gain a wealth of thought-provoking material. We at getAbstract recommend this book to anyone who misses pure intellectual challenge. Lawyers, policy makers, and economists are most likely to appreciate it.

Balanced analysis of markets.......2000-03-31

The author provides a balance between recognizing the value that is embodied in free markets and realizing that they are not an end in themselves. Rather, the author writes that markets are best evaluated on the basis not of some imagined inherent worth, but on the basis of their practical effects in real life. By taking the focus away from the theoretical premises of free markets and allowing criticism based on their practical effects on human life, while still recognizing the amazing good they are, the author strikes a balance between those who would turn to some form of a socialistic economic system in order to achieve greater social justice and those who believe that markets can do no wrong. The author is talented at creating new perspectives from which to view issues related to markets and social justice. In addition, he does an excellent job at making a case for legitimate (yet still limited) government involvement in markets by using arguments that most conservatives would agree with. From a theological perspective, however, the author tends at times to point to markets as the source of some social ills that actually have their source not in market mechanisms, but in the presence of sin and evil in the world. Overall, the book is an excellent and balanced analysis of free markets and their effects on social justice. It is not easy bedtime reading, however. Be prepared to take quite a bit of time chewing on the author's ideas.

No Harm: Ethical Principles for a Free Market

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No Harm: Ethical Principles for a Free Market
T. Patrick Burke
Manufacturer: Paragon House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1557786186

Capitalism and Justice: Envisioning Social and Economic Fairness

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An excellent piece of work.
Banal

Capitalism and Justice: Envisioning Social and Economic Fairness
John Isbister
Manufacturer: Kumarian Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 156549122X

Book Description

The capitalist economic system now dominates the world. How fully can it take justice into account? John Isbister takes a practical approach to the most important questions of economic and social justice such as: how big a spread of incomes from rich to poor is consistent with social justice? Should inheritances be abolished? What sort of commitment should a rich country like the USA make to foreign aid?

Isbister challenges us to think creatively about the meaning of justice and how it works towards social and economic fairness within the boundaries of capitalism. Students of political economy, ethics, public policy and current affairs as well as motivated citizens who believe there is a need to create a fairer world, will find this book a radical and compelling call to action.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent piece of work........2006-04-18

John Isbister hits the nail head-on in his text "Capitalism and Justice: Envisioning Social and Economic Fairness," with the example he gives immediately at the start of chapter one:

"The little red hen finds some grains of wheat in the farmyard. She asks the other animals-the cat, the rat, and the pig-who would like to help her plant the grains, the reap the harvest, then carry the wheat to the mill for grinding into flour, and then bake the flour into bread. `Not I,' says each of the animals, each time it is asked. Finally, when the bread is baked, the little red hen asks who would like to help her eat it, and the cat, the rat, and the pig all volunteer. The little red hen declines their help and eats the bread herself."

Banal.......2002-03-17

I would like to say that this book is as bad as it gets, but I've learned that such optimism is rarely justified. I can say no more, then, than that Capitalism and Justice is the most flagrant example of economic casuistry that I've run across to date.

The general, and supportable, thesis is that moral considerations require a certain amount of intervention in the economy and our personal lives in order to correct the amoral influence of free markets. Nothing that you won't find in cocktail party conversations anywhere within fifty miles of an ocean. This book does not do a very good job of the demonstration.

A synopsis of Isbister's discussion of equality should do to show exactly how vapid his arguments are. After examining some justifications for equality as a moral postulate (including Rawls), he denies that any are viable. Since he wants to base his analysis of justice (particularly income inequality) on equality, freedom, and efficiency, obviously he needs to give us a reason why we should. Citing the Declaration of Independence, he decides that he can simply assume equality is good, and go on from there.

Now, he has to decide which sort of equality to use, and so sets up a false dichotomy: should it be equality of opportunity or equality of outcome? The most obvious third choice (equality under the law) is discussed later in a different context (freedom), but what he does with these two is hilarious. He looks at what he wants to call fair, and stipulates that someone who works harder should receive more; therefore he eschews the later equality and prefers the former, which are obviously contradictory in this context. However, he notes, that if outcomes are different for one generation, then opportunities are different for the next; therefore the one implies the other. Rather than note that this is a real problem to which a real solution is needed (such as only using equality of outcomes), he just calls this an "indeterminacy" and decides to apply both principles to income distributions.

How does he do this? He decides that having a 1:1, or equal, distribution of incomes is neither possible nor good, so there must be a larger one. What is it? 8:1; specifically, $20,000 to $160,000. Why? "This is the roughest and most intuitive of conclusions." He guessed. The distribution should also be Gaussian, he says, even though he admits that supervisors should usually be paid more than their subordinates, which would normally imply something closer to a gamma distribution.
About seventy percent of us already fall into the category given (including children under eighteen, college students and retired people and not including all redistributive programs). Why we should put any effort into modifying the income distribution is not given.

His account of freedom is similarly insipid (using the kind of analysis of liberty that the Soviets used as a rationalization), and his criticisms of Nozick are inept. He tells us that it is not just for us to willingly give a quarter to Wilt Chamberlain to see him play, or at least for him to keep the money, because part of the reason he was so good is that he's so much taller than we.

Isbister also looks at the nature of capitalism, globalization, and the environment with just as much insight.

I wonder whom this book was meant for. It is certainly not a scholarly tome, nor is it introductory. Nowhere does it look like a book meant for history. It's really just the sort of thing that Isbister probably talks about once the vodka martinis start flowing out of the mouths of fountains camouflaged as busts of Marx at the college library; it's a book meant to show his friends how dedicated he is to the cause.

Book Description

During recent decades the welfare state has shown a growing interest in issues relating to market efficiency. Supply side economics, Reaganism and Thatcherism all pointed to the fact that welfare state arrangements had become a burden for society that prevented individuals to take action and frustrated markets to operate efficiently. Since then different fields of public policy have been confronted with trends like deregulation, privatisation and less government action. Education, transport, social security and pension schemes are just a few examples. The results of these operations have given rise to new questions concerning solidarity, equal treatment and all citizens getting their 'fair share' of welfare. This debate has become the more important as Europe is in a period of transition in which it has to decide on shaping its future by way of the European Union. Major contributions to the discussion with respect to the relation between market efficiency and equity come from lawyers and economists. That is why this volume of the series 'Balancing the welfare state' has brought together experts in both law and economics to discuss this relation from different angles and with respect to different actual problems in the late-twentieth century welfare state.

Assault on free speech: government desperate to restrict the spreading rural revolt.(CHINA): An article from: New Internationalist

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Assault on free speech: government desperate to restrict the spreading rural revolt.(CHINA): An article from: New Internationalist
Kristin Jones
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from New Internationalist, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2006. The length of the article is 554 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Assault on free speech: government desperate to restrict the spreading rural revolt.(CHINA)
Author: Kristin Jones
Publication: New Internationalist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 392 Page: 24(1)

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Neoliberalism, Militarism, and Armed Conflict.: An article from: Social Justice

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Neoliberalism, Militarism, and Armed Conflict.: An article from: Social Justice
Gwyn Kirk , and Margo Okazawa-Rey
Manufacturer: Crime and Social Justice Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Social Justice, published by Crime and Social Justice Associates on December 22, 2000. The length of the article is 7466 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Neoliberalism, Militarism, and Armed Conflict.
Author: Gwyn Kirk
Publication: Social Justice (Refereed)
Date: December 22, 2000
Publisher: Crime and Social Justice Associates
Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Page: 1

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Trade justice: Vanessa Baird sets out in search of an elusive ideal ...(Trade Justice: INTRODUCTION) : An article from: New Internationalist

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Trade justice: Vanessa Baird sets out in search of an elusive ideal ...(Trade Justice: INTRODUCTION) : An article from: New Internationalist
Vanessa Baird
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000FJA6YQ
Release Date: 2006-04-27

Book Description

This digital document is an article from New Internationalist, published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1717 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Trade justice: Vanessa Baird sets out in search of an elusive ideal ...(Trade Justice: INTRODUCTION)
Author: Vanessa Baird
Publication: New Internationalist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 388 Page: 2(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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