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Distributive Justice

Distributiveo Distribution of resources

Justiceo Fairnesso Not necessarily same as equal

How do we distribute resources fairly?There are three theories in the syllabus for Distributive Justice this year.

If the governmentdecides to confiscate all possessions fromSingaporeans for redistribution, what would be a fair way to redistribute

it?

o All distributed equallyo Give more to those who need it

i.e. Disabled get moreo Give more to those who contribute to society

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1. Strict Egalitarianismo Theory

Same level of goods and services for all(assumption that everyone is of equal value/worth)

i.e. Everyone gets the same 1kg of potatoes, regardless ofwhether you are hungrier or not

o Conditions level = quantity only fair = equal

o Reception People who are comfortable with their lives will not like

this theory; though those who have issues trying to feed

themselves everyday will find this attractive.

o Issues Index Problem

Problem: What to distribute?

o Different quality of the same item Solution: Money as a denomination

o Problem: Not everything can be reducible tomoney

Time-Frame Problem Problem: When to distribute?

o The best time to distribute Solution: Implement a time-frame and regular

distribution (like monthly salary) or maybe also

have a reset, where remaining money is collected

back before redistributiono Problem: Disparity caused by differences in

spending/saving habits

Solution: Just Savings (e.g. CPF) Slow Progress

No incentive for anyone to work hard Regardless of effort, the same reward will be given,

so both the hardworking people and the slackers

will eventually lose incentive to contribute

Inadequate contributions = Slow growth Ultimately ?

People do not get what they deserve, regardless ofindividual contributions

o Fair = rewarding contribution? Different people have different needs

o E.g. someone would needs medicine butothers may not be still they are given one

portion each, which is insufficient for that one

person

o Solution: Make needs a public provision

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2. Rawlso Motivation

o Cake problem: Theres a cake that must be divided into fourpieces for four people and you will decide how it will be

divided, but not how it will be distributed

o Proofo Original Position and Veil of Ignorance

Ignoring all forms of possible prejudice and judgingeveryone equally, regardless of their identity

Putting oneself in a position where everyone is strippedof their social identity, status and at a minimum level

o Theoryo Known as a strategy

To maximize the minimum Help the disadvantage level-up Playing it as safe as possible by choosing the alternative

whose worst outcome leaves us better off than the

worst outcome of all others

Talent and effort are not rewardedo 1) Equal rights to basic libertieso 2) (a) Social and economic inequalities are permitted

da Inequalities must be to the greatest benefit of the

data least advantaged

da (b) Condition where opportunities for positions and

data offices must be open to all and fair

o There is a minimum baseline thatMUST be fulfilled for everysingle person, butbeyond the baseline, differences (based on

ability etc.) are acceptable.

o Issueso Talented people

Objection 1: There are no accommodations forincentives to motivate the talented, which will lose

motivation to work hard and society will stagnate.

Reply: Incentives can and will be given to the talented,under the circumstances that it will bring up the people

with least advantages.

i.e. Employee in a huge company (that drives thecountry) will just waste the money, whereas

giving the money to the company will boost the

economy and increase wages for the employee

Objection 2: Talent people may not deserve theirnatural talent but they deserve the rewards their effort

brings because of their talents.

Reply: Talented people are more likely to put in moreeffort and contribute more by naturebecause of their

talents, thus talent should not be rewarded.

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3. Utilitarianismo Creator

o JOHN STUART MILLSo Theory

o The only thing valuable/desirable is obtainingpleasure/avoiding displeasure. ( )

o happinesso unhappinesso Does not involve the quantity of people

Not exactly each person to count for 1 happiness Only under the pretext that the people have a same

experience

o Not exactlygreatest amount of happiness for greatestnumber of people

Differing amounts/degrees of happiness

o Different from democracyo Issues

o Ignores individuality of human beings (Rawls Objection) Objection: Some people may have to suffer for the sake

of the happiness of others and this is acceptable where

the happiness produced is greater than the

unhappiness produced.

This ignores the individuality for the suffering peopleo

Objection: A machine that can simulate and createexperiences in the brain to generate pleasure (and avoiddispleasure). This will be the key to ULTIMATEhappiness and logically everyone will want to be there

forever.

But many will hesitate because as they will doubtwhether it is real. This means thathappiness is not the

most important but rather the realityof a situation

may be; REAL EXPERIENCES MATTER.