Chapter Nine: Welfare and Social Justice
11-13-09
INTRO:
Welfare is actually Aid to Families and Dependent Children (AFDC)
Clinton set out to “end welfare as we know it.” He wanted, instead, to provide job training for welfare
recipients and to set a two year limit on the time they could spend on welfare. If after two years there
weren’t any new options, one would have to accept a community service from the government or be
left on their own. In August of 1996, Clinton abolished the AFDC and replaced it with Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
TRANSFER PAYMENTS
involves the transfer of wealth from one segment of the population to another through taxation
and dispersal
poverty level increased with TANF, not decreased
DOES WELFARE WORK?
In Another America “pockets of poverty”
Losing Ground “argued anti-poverty programs actually encourage poverty”
WHY HAVE WELFARE?
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE?
Distributive Justice: how do we fairly allocate resources in America
Entitlement Conception of Justice:
oJohn Locke’s idea that we have natural rights of life liberty and property, but also a
natural right to protect those three rights.
oRobert Nozick:
Welfare is beyond the rightful powers of the government. Because no one is
forced to give money to charity, how do we get people to donate? “Taxation is
legalized plunder.”
Entitlement: having the right to own what he earned
ARGUMENT: if we take away from people who have been successful, it
disencourages them to do well anymore.
oRawls:
Welfare capitalism
COUNTER ARGUMENT: From Rawls, difference principle is defined as financial
inequalities are acceptable if they benefit society as a whole. Million dollar
example. Financial inequalities are natural in society.
How do most rich people come about money? Inheritance, back stabbing (Bill
Gates) and actual good work ethics
Primary goods: We need to make sure everyone in society has access to primary
good. A primary good is anything someone needs for a god life. Nutrition,
Education, Health Care and Safe Housing
EQUALITY, NEED, AND MERIT
Equality: everyone should get an equal share
oCommunist, socialist
