The Market Economy as a Social System

Description

This book develops John Rawls’s theory of justice by adding reality-based analyses. This is accomplished by answering the question of who makes rules and how, and by providing new answers to three of today’s most practical and critical issues. The question of who and how makes rules is discussed first; and group orientation instead of individualism, and a balance of negotiating power instead of a veil of ignorance are presented as new answers to this question. Based on this new understanding of rulemaking, three important practical rules are subsequently discussed: the rule of distribution of land and other natural resources, including the question of natural talent or who should bear the costs of children’s education; the rule of distribution of products; and what motives support our acts of kindness. These rules are all dealt with from a shared perspective, viewing society as a single integrated construct. Equal distribution of land, not private but public payment of education fees, strengthening employees’ bargaining power, and moving toward nobility-based kindness are put forward as central answers. By addressing critical questions on social rules and proposing answers, this book provides reliable principles to fall back on in our daily lives, and in our rapidly changing, globalized world. Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Introduction (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 1-3 Front Matter ....Pages 5-5 Overview of the Problem: Socioeconomic System and Distributive Rules (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 7-27 WHO? Deciding Subject: Critical Development of Rawls’ Theory (1) (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 29-44 HOW? Criteria for Determining Rules: Critical Development of Rawls’ Theory (2) (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 45-52 FOR WHOM? Object Subject in Distributive Rules (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 53-81 Front Matter ....Pages 83-84 Restructuring of Distributive Rules of Natural Resources (1): Land (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 85-99 Restructuring of Distributive Rules of Natural Resources (2): Education Fees (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 101-125 Restructuring of Distributive Rules for Products (1): Profit and Wages (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 127-160 Restructuring of Distributive Rules of Products (2): Social Security (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 161-191 Conclusion (Hiroto Tsukada)....Pages 193-195 Back Matter ....Pages 197-217