Question 1

Under the leaky bucket principle a policy should be adopted&#10;A)if the benefits received are greater than the 'leaks'&#10;B)only if there are no leaks for the given policy&#10;C)if the least well off person is made better off&#10;D)if the amount of leak is acceptable under a given ethical theory.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

If society determines there should be a minimum utility of 5 utils and person 1 initially has 100 utils and person 2 initially has 0 utils, given the choices below which is the optimal redistribution under Nozick's modified model?

A)person 1: 5 utils; person 2: 5 utils
B)person 1: 90 utils; person 2: 5 utils
C)person 1: 100 utils; person 2: 0 utils
D)person 1: 50 utils; person 2: 50 utils

B

Accepted Answer

Nozick's modified model would prioritize maintaining the entitlements of individuals to their holdings, as long as a minimum utility floor is met. In this scenario, redistributing to ensure person 2 has at least 5 utils while allowing person 1 to retain as much of their original utility as possible (without falling below the utility floor themselves) aligns with this principle. Thus, option B, where person 1 has 90 utils and person 2 has 5 utils, is the optimal redistribution, as it respects the entitlement theory while ensuring no one is below the minimum utility threshold.

Question 3

With tow individual operating under a Rawlsian social welfare function, which combination of util amounts is preferred?&#10;A)person 1: 4 utils; person 2: 4 utils&#10;B)person 1: 9 utils; person 2: 5 utils&#10;C)person 1: 14 utils; person 2: 4 utils&#10;D)person 1: 15 utils; person 2: 3 utils

Accepted Answer

Under a Rawlsian social welfare function, the preferred combination of util amounts is the one that maximizes the utility of the worst-off individual. In this case, the worst-off individual is person 2, who has 5 utils in option B. Therefore, option B is the preferred combination.

Question 4

According to Sen and Williams the principles of utilitarianism are&#10;A)welfarism, sum-ranking, and consequentialism&#10;B)the rule of law, liberty, and equity&#10;C)freedom and equality&#10;D)minimal government and the greatest possible freedom

Accepted Answer

Sen and Williams identify the principles of utilitarianism as being welfarism (the pursuit of the greatest good for the greatest number), sum-ranking (the calculation of overall benefits and harms), and consequentialism (the focus on the outcomes of actions). These principles prioritize the maximization of well-being and the calculation of the consequences of actions in determining what is morally right or wrong.

Question 5

Maximizing the minimum refers to&#10;A)reducing the well-being of all parties until they are the same as the least well-off&#10;B)maximizing the well-being of society as a whole without regard to how it affects specific individuals&#10;C)emphasizing efficiency over equity&#10;D)increasing the well-being of the least well-off person as much as is possible.

Accepted Answer

Maximizing the minimum refers to increasing the well-being of the least well-off person as much as is possible. This approach prioritizes equity and aims to reduce inequalities in society.

Question 6

A neutral transfer&#10;A)is any transfer of income by a third party&#10;B)is any transfer of income that positively impacts the utility of at least 1 party&#10;C)is any transfer of income that results in both parties maintaining at least a minimum income&#10;D)is any costless transfer of income that doesn't alter either party's behavior

Accepted Answer

A neutral transfer is a transfer of income that doesn't alter either party's behavior and is costless. It doesn't necessarily result in a positive impact on the utility of either party or maintain at least a minimum income for both parties. It also doesn't have to involve a third party. Option D is the most accurate definition.

Question 7

Redistribution under utilitarian theory should occur&#10;A)as long as one party benefits&#10;B)as long as the marginal utility of the income gained is greater than the marginal utility of the income lost&#10;C)as long as total utility stays the same&#10;D)as long as both parties agree to it&#10;Answers

Accepted Answer

According to utilitarian theory, redistribution should occur when it leads to a net increase in total happiness or utility. Therefore, redistribution should only occur if the marginal utility gained by the party receiving the redistributed income is greater than the marginal utility lost by the party giving up the income. This ensures that overall happiness or utility is maximized.

Question 8

The &#34;Veil of Ignorance&#34; refers to the following conditions&#10;A)all individuals are relatively ignorant of those different from themselves.&#10;B)Individuals are ignorant of all dimensions their place in society.&#10;C)individuals are ignorant of how much income they will make in the future&#10;D)society should pursue equality in all things unless the least well-off benefits from the inequality

Accepted Answer

The "Veil of Ignorance" requires individuals to be ignorant of all dimensions of their place in society, including their social status, wealth, ethnicity, gender, and natural abilities. This is necessary to ensure that individuals are not biased in their decision-making and do not prioritize their own interests over the interests of others. By imagining themselves behind a "Veil of Ignorance," individuals are encouraged to create a fair and just society that benefits everyone, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Question 9

The original position according to Rawls is&#10;A)the situation of mankind before the advent of society&#10;B)the equality we all have at birth, which then disappears as some individuals become better through merit&#10;C)a situation where all parties have equal rights and equal access to the decision making process&#10;D)the fetal position

Accepted Answer

The original position according to Rawls is a hypothetical situation where all parties are equal and have equal rights and equal access to the decision-making process. It is used as a starting point to establish principles of justice for a fair society. It is not referring to the situation of mankind before the advent of society nor the equality we all have at birth. The fetal position is not relevant to this concept.

Question 10

Robert Nozick's theory emphasized&#10;A)the minimalist state&#10;B)maximizing the minimum&#10;C)the greatest good for the greatest number&#10;D)the difference principle

Accepted Answer

The answer of Robert Nozick's theory emphasized&#10;A)the minimalist state&#10;B)maximizing the...

Question 11

Utilitarianism refers to&#10;A)the idea that the goal of society should be the greatest good for the greatest number&#10;B)the idea that people with the greatest utility to society as a whole should benefit the most from policies&#10;C)the study of electricity, water and sewage systems&#10;D)both a and b

Accepted Answer

The answer of Utilitarianism refers to&#10;A)the idea that the goal...

Deck 3: Ethics for Policy Analysts