Title
Introduction (Thesis)
America’s system of capitalism is a hot bed of inequality.
Based on Rawlsian theory America’s current economic system, capitalism, is unjust. In Rawls, Property-Owning Democracy, and Democratic Socialism by Tom Malleson, capitalism is rejected for having unequal political power, unequal opportunity, and unequal wealth distribution. Unequal wealth is the major issue as it affects both political power and opportunity. Those who have more wealth can donate more to political campaigns and therefore have a louder voice in elections. Opportunity, such as access to education, is also affected by wealth. Those from low socioeconomic standing are quite likely to go to schools with low academic achievement. The paper gives …show more content…
They believe the redistribution of wealth is amoral because it infringes of these rights. Wendy Milling, author of the article Without Question, Capitalism is Supremely Moral, bases her support of capitalism on “man’s rights”, but she does not explicitly define these rights. From her attack on the distribution of property one can assume she is a supporter Locke’s, therefore, the fundamental rights she is referencing are the pursuit of life, liberty, and property. Milling refutes the idea of equality of opportunity because she believes that the “[redistribution of] wealth is… [robbery].” Based solely on Locke’s ideas, redistribution is an unjust action. Perhaps capitalism is a moral system based on the pursuit property, but even using an antiquated Lockean framework it is still unjust. Capitalism does not allow fully for the pursuit of liberty or the pursuit of life and it does not fully allow for pursuit of …show more content…
Those with more money have a louder voice in a system that is touted as being the gold standard of democracy. Wealthy Americans can donate large amounts to campaign contributions and pay for lobbyist directly. This gives a select few much more political power than should be allowed. Those who are wealthy also shape public ideology. The owners of media are among the super-rich and therefore “[the media is] dominated by the interests of the wealthy” (MacEwan 8) When the news has an implicit bias in favor of the rich the majority are used to further goals that may not be beneficial for them. .There is reliance on the rich to create jobs. “Political authorities at all levels believe that if they are unfriendly to business interests, they will run the risk of slowing business activity, reducing unemployment activity, reducing employment, and thus alienating voters” (MacEwan 9). The super-rich have the majority of power in American politics even though they make up a scant minority of citizens. This is inherently unfair and under a system of democratic socialism this would not be allowed. It is of upmost importance that our economic system changes to make a more equal
Introduction (Thesis)
America’s system of capitalism is a hot bed of inequality.
Based on Rawlsian theory America’s current economic system, capitalism, is unjust. In Rawls, Property-Owning Democracy, and Democratic Socialism by Tom Malleson, capitalism is rejected for having unequal political power, unequal opportunity, and unequal wealth distribution. Unequal wealth is the major issue as it affects both political power and opportunity. Those who have more wealth can donate more to political campaigns and therefore have a louder voice in elections. Opportunity, such as access to education, is also affected by wealth. Those from low socioeconomic standing are quite likely to go to schools with low academic achievement. The paper gives …show more content…
They believe the redistribution of wealth is amoral because it infringes of these rights. Wendy Milling, author of the article Without Question, Capitalism is Supremely Moral, bases her support of capitalism on “man’s rights”, but she does not explicitly define these rights. From her attack on the distribution of property one can assume she is a supporter Locke’s, therefore, the fundamental rights she is referencing are the pursuit of life, liberty, and property. Milling refutes the idea of equality of opportunity because she believes that the “[redistribution of] wealth is… [robbery].” Based solely on Locke’s ideas, redistribution is an unjust action. Perhaps capitalism is a moral system based on the pursuit property, but even using an antiquated Lockean framework it is still unjust. Capitalism does not allow fully for the pursuit of liberty or the pursuit of life and it does not fully allow for pursuit of …show more content…
Those with more money have a louder voice in a system that is touted as being the gold standard of democracy. Wealthy Americans can donate large amounts to campaign contributions and pay for lobbyist directly. This gives a select few much more political power than should be allowed. Those who are wealthy also shape public ideology. The owners of media are among the super-rich and therefore “[the media is] dominated by the interests of the wealthy” (MacEwan 8) When the news has an implicit bias in favor of the rich the majority are used to further goals that may not be beneficial for them. .There is reliance on the rich to create jobs. “Political authorities at all levels believe that if they are unfriendly to business interests, they will run the risk of slowing business activity, reducing unemployment activity, reducing employment, and thus alienating voters” (MacEwan 9). The super-rich have the majority of power in American politics even though they make up a scant minority of citizens. This is inherently unfair and under a system of democratic socialism this would not be allowed. It is of upmost importance that our economic system changes to make a more equal