Deck 14: Social Justice

Question 1

Isbister argues that governments of advanced capitalist countries have a duty to intervene to rescue those for whom the market system does not provide.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Isbister supports government intervention into the free market to artificially increase minimum wage on the grounds that "working people should not be in poverty".

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Isbister argues that the current welfare system is unjust.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Isbister argues that we have a moral obligation to eliminate poverty.

Question 5

Isbister argues that those who work should be forced to provide for those who can work but choose not to work.

Question 6

Veach argues that it is wrong to allow the poor to sell a kidney because such policies would discriminate against the poor.

Question 7

Haslett argues that inheritance should be abolished.

Question 8

Haslett argues that inheritance is inconsistent with the values of libert and democracy.

Question 9

The core issue in Kelo v. City of New London was whether the city's proposal qualifies as "public use".

Question 10

In his dissenting opinion, Justice O'Connor argues economic development does not constitute "pubic use".

Question 11

The editors of Harvard Law Review argue that whereas morality guides actions by individuals, __________ guides institutions.

A) Legality
B) Justice
C) Capitalism
D) Professional codes of ethics

Question 12

What does Isbister identify as the greatest injustice of unregulated, free market capitalism?

A) It provides for only some of the people and excludes others.
B) It is based on supply and demand, which is based on market value and not moral value.
C) It places no value on human life other than monitory value.
D) It obfuscates the distinction between monitory value and moral value

Question 13

Parijs objects to the welfare state on the grounds that it is wrong to force taxpayers to subsidize surfers-people who can work but refuse to work. How does Isbister respond to this objection?

A) He argues that taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize those who choose not to work-government programs should exist to help only those who truly cannot work.
B) He argues that taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize those who choose not to work-if they get hungry enough, they will either die or get a job.
C) He argues that taxpayers should be forced to subsidize those who choose not to work because their choice is not a free choice, but is the end result of lowered self-worth, a byproduct of discrimination against the poor and downtrodden.
D) He argue that taxpayers should be forced to subsidize those who choose not to work because those who appear to not want to work are often psychologically incapable of sustained work.

Question 14

How does Isbister propose to eliminate poverty?

A) By forcing high earners to pay higher taxes.
B) By making it illegal for people to have illegitimate children.
C) By criminalizing bad choices.
D) By restricting liberty-under Isbister's plan people will be legally required to finish high school and wait until they are 25 to get married.

Question 15

Veach argues for which of the following positions?

A) The poor should be free to sell a kidney.
B) Health care is a public good and should be accessible to all regardless of the ability to pay.
C) We should never allow the sort of poverty to exist that would prompt one to consider making money by selling a kidney.
D) All of the above

Question 16

Haslett argues that __________ should be abolished.

A) Capitalism
B) Poverty
C) Inheritance
D) All of the above

Question 17

Haslett argues that inheritance is inconsistent with __________.

A) The morals of hard work and fair play
B) Capitalism
C) Justice
D) Socialism

Question 18

Which of the following does Haslett identify as the most common objection to abolishing inheritance?

A) The proposal to abolish inheritance is an unwarranted government intrusion into the private lives of individuals.
B) The proposal to abolish inheritance is a violation of liberty.
C) The proposal to abolish inheritance fails to respect individual property rights.
D) The proposal to abolish inheritance would lead to an increase is sloth, thereby reducing national productivity.

Question 19

What beneficial consequence of abolishing inheritance does Haslett cite?

A) He claims that the abolition of inheritance would obviate the need for state and federal income taxes.
B) He claims that the abolition of inheritance would level the playing field, and thus obviate the need for welfare.
C) He claims that the abolition of inheritance would pay off the national debt, thereby making the United States economically more secure.
D) He claims that the abolition of inheritance would end both war and hunger.

Question 20

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London deals with this issue.

A) Inheritance
B) School taxes
C) Eminent domain
D) The limits of dead restricted home owners restrictions

Question 21

The editors of Harvard Law Review argue that if we can prevent something extremely bad from happening by sacrificing something that is less valuable, we are morally obligated to take action to prevent that bad thing from happening. Do you think we have a moral duty in every case to play Superman in the lives of others?

Question 22

Do you think we are morally obligated to provide for the innocent children who are starving-that is, do you think we have done something morally wrong if we choose to spend money on tickets to the movie instead of contributing to famine relief? Discuss.

Question 23

Parijs questions whether taxpayers should be forced to subsidize surfers-those who can work but choose not to work. How does Isbister respond to this question? Do you think his response is adequate?

Question 24

Isbister argues that the freedom to pursue one's goals entails the freedom not to work. Do you agree with Isbister's conception of freedom? If freedom is an overriding moral principle, as Isbister claims, shouldn't people who work for a living be free not to support those who choose not to work? How does Isbister address this objection?

Question 25

Should people be free to sell a kidney? Are you repulsed by the idea of someone being so destitute that he would see selling a kidney as his best economic opportunity?

Question 26

Is it the role of the government to restrict a person's liberty and to criminalize a free market for organs?

Question 27

Haslett calls for the abolition of inheritance. How plausible do you find his proposal?

Question 28

One objection that Haslett considers is that if people could not pass down their wealth to their children, they would be less inclined to make the sacrifices necessary to build wealth. How does Haslett respond to this objection? Do you find his objection convincing?

Question 29

Do an Internet search on "eminent domain". Under what conditions do you think the government can confiscate private property?

Question 30

Do you think the use of eminent domain for the purposes of economic development is warranted?