Distributive justice involves how benefits and burdens in society should be distributed. It addresses questions like how income, wealth, and opportunities should be distributed among individuals and groups. There are various theories for the basis of distribution, such as equality, merit, free market transactions, or maximizing individual needs. John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness holds that social and economic inequalities are justified only if they benefit the least advantaged and positions are open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.

1. Types of Justice Distributive Justice Benefits and burdens Retributive Justice Criminal justice

2. Distributive Justice The central question of distributive justice is the question of how the benefits and burdens of our lives are to be distributed. Justice involves giving each person his or her due. Equals are to be treated equally.

3. Goods Subject to Distribution What is to be distributed? Income (income tax) Wealth (inheritance tax) Opportunities (equal opportunities)

4. Subjects of Distribution To whom are good to be distributed? Individual persons Groups of persons Classes

5. Apply to Social Policy Tax Policy Progressive tax system Flat tax system Should the wealthy be taxed at a higher rate

6. Apply to Social Policy Health Care Should everyone have health care? Should wealthy people have access to health care that middle or poorer people do not have?

7. Bases for Distribution On what basis should goods be distributed? Equality ( Amartya Sen ) Merit ( Hillel Steiner ) Free market transactions ( Nozick ) Many standards Maximizing individual needs or desires Ability to make best use of the goods

8. Strict Egalitarianism Basic principle: every person should have the same level of material goods and services Criticisms Unduly restricts individual freedom May conflict with what people deserve

9. John Rawls Rawls’s A Theory of Justice (1971) has set the stage for contemporary discussions of justice. Justice as Fairness

10. A Theory of Justice Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both: to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle, and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. #1 must be satisfied prior to 2, and 2b prior to 2a

11. The Difference Principle If a system of strict equality maximizes the absolute position of the least advantaged in society, then the Difference Principle advocates strict equality. If it is possible to raise the position of the least advantaged further by inequality of income and wealth, then the Difference Principle prescribes inequality up to that point where the absolute position of the least advantaged can no longer be raised.

12. Critics of the Difference Principle Strict egalitarians: don’t treat anyone differently Utilitarians: doesn’t maximize utility Libertarian: infringes on liberty through taxation, etc. Desert-based theorists argue to reward hard work even when it doesn’t help the disadvantaged Does not provide sufficient rewards for ambition

13. Resource-Based Approaches: Ronald Dworkin People should be made to accept the consequences of their choices people who choose to work hard to earn more income should not be required to subsidize those choosing more leisure and hence less income People should not to suffer consequences of circumstances over which they have no control people born with handicaps, ill-health, or low levels of natural endowments have not brought these circumstances upon themselves

14. Welfare-Based Approaches Seeks to maximize well-being of society as a whole Utilitarian in inspiration: it seeks to maximize welfare for everyone.

15. Desert-Based Approaches People should be rewarded for their: Actual contribution Effort Seeks to raise the overall standard of living by rewarding effort and achievement May be applied only to working adults

16. Conclusion Distributive justice attempts to answer the question of how goods and opportunities in society can be distributed fairly.