INCENTIVE INEQUALITIES AND FREEDOM OF OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE. (16th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mackay, Douglas
• Is Part Of: Economics and philosophy. Volume 32:Number 1(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2015-07-16
• Subjects: incentives, -- difference principle, -- G.A. Cohen, -- John Rawls, -- equality; Economics -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 330.01
• DOI: 10.1017/S0266267115000292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-2671

Abstract

Abstract: In Rescuing Justice and Equality, G.A. Cohen argues that the incentive inequalities permitted by John Rawls's difference principle are unjust since people cannot justify them to their fellow citizens. I argue that citizens of a Rawlsian society can justify their acceptance of a wide range of incentive inequalities to their fellow citizens. They can do so because they possess the right to freedom of occupational choice, and are permitted – as a matter of justice – to exercise this right by making occupational decisions on the basis of a wide range of values and preferences.