Making the unequal global economic structure more just: Going beyond welfare economics, utilitarianism and Rawlsian ethical theories
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop principles through which the global economic structure could become more equal and just; it begins by demonstrating that world poverty is pervasive, and that the global economic structure is very unequal.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilizes conceptual/theoretical arguments in welfare economics, utilitarianism, Sen's capability approach, and Rawlsian theories of justice to argue that none of those theories can lead to a more equal global economic structure. Thus, the development of more egalitarian principles is needed.
Findings
Arguing that the principles that Rawls developed in his 1999 The Law of Peoples are more egalitarian than the other theories, the paper still finds them less than adequate. However, the principles developed in the paper can lead the world toward a more just and much more egalitarian economic structure.
Originality/value
Since the principles developed in the paper are more egalitarian, helping toward ending world poverty and extreme inequality, the paper and its findings constitute an original and a valuable contribution.
Keywords
Citation
Hosseini, H. (2010), "Making the unequal global economic structure more just: Going beyond welfare economics, utilitarianism and Rawlsian ethical theories", Humanomics, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 200-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/08288661011074963
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited