
Comparing Fairness
Relative Criteria of Economic Fairness with Applications
Roger A. McCain(Author)
Edward Elgar Publishing
Published on 6. August 2021
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-83910-801-3 (ISBN)
Description
Economic theory and philosophy have discussed concepts of fairness, but the criteria of fairness are in each case absolute: a situation is either fair or it is not. This book draws on these literatures to propose two criteria of relative fairness, and a hierarchical rule for the priority of application of these criteria, with a view to comparison of practicable alternatives in public policy.
A veil-of-ignorance device of representation of rational fairness is used to argue that these criteria are normatively relevant. Applications to intergenerational fairness, fairness among regions in the context of migration, externalities and Pigovian taxes, to fair prices and wages, and to relative fairness in the status of racial and caste groups are sketched. The book is designed with real world public policy practice.
Scholars with an interest in the economic evaluation of public policy will find this compelling book essential reading.
A veil-of-ignorance device of representation of rational fairness is used to argue that these criteria are normatively relevant. Applications to intergenerational fairness, fairness among regions in the context of migration, externalities and Pigovian taxes, to fair prices and wages, and to relative fairness in the status of racial and caste groups are sketched. The book is designed with real world public policy practice.
Scholars with an interest in the economic evaluation of public policy will find this compelling book essential reading.
Reviews / Votes
'Roger McCain's new book develops an original analysis of relative fairness or ''quasifairness'' to compare stable social situations as objects of public policy. Employing bounded rationality, Rawls, and a game-theoretic understanding of social stability, the book's applications are far-reaching and penetrating. Strongly recommended as a new strategy for re-grounding normative economics.' -- John B. Davis, Marquette University, US and University of Amsterdam, the NetherlandsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-83910-801-3 (9781839108013)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Roger A. McCain, Professor, School of Economics, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, US
Content
Contents: 1. Fairness in a system of cooperative, joint production 2. Decision, cooperation and stability 3. Side payments in effectivity analysis of cooperative games 4. Efficiency and fairness 5. The veil of ignorance 6. Intergenerational transfers 7. Intergenerational transfers: some complications 8. Interregional fairness, migration and efficiency 9. Policy, externality, gilets jaunes and interregional fairness 10. Fairness from the perspective of an individual or group 11. Fair wages and prices 12. Fairness from the perspective of a caste or race 13. Concluding summary Index