A utilitarian government has to balance the gains from greater income equality against the losses from distorted work incentives. To maximize total utility, therefore, the government

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A utilitarian government seeks to maximize total utility, which means it must balance the gains from greater income equality (which can enhance overall happiness and well-being) against the losses from distorted work incentives (which can discourage productivity and innovation). Therefore, it makes sense to aim for greater income equality but to stop short of a fully egalitarian society, where everyone earns the same regardless of their contributions or abilities. This way, people still have some incentive to work hard and pursue their ambitions, but the gap between the rich and poor is not so extreme that it causes social or economic harm.

A Utilitarian Government Has to Balance the Gains from Greater