1st Edition

Economics, Ethics and the Market Introduction and Applications

By Johan J. Graafland Copyright 2007
    254 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    456 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The primary aim of the text is to introduce the reader to the relationship between economics and ethics and to the application of economic ethics in the evaluation of the market. The reader will gain insight into:

    • The ethical and methodological strategy of economics and criticism of the core assumptions that underpin the economic defence of free market operation.
    • The characteristics of different ethical theories (utilitarianism, duty and rights ethics, justice and virtue ethics) that can be used to evaluate the free market.
    • How to apply economics in conjunction with ethical theories to evaluate economic trends and policies that promote the free operation of the market and are subject to public debate.

    These insights will help to develop the reasoning and analytical skills needed to criticize economic analysis as well as to apply ethical concepts to moral issues in economic policy.

    1. Introduction, 2. The theory of perfect markets, 3. Rationality, 4. Self-interest and social preferences, 5. Status goods, non-satiation and happiness, 6. Persistence in disequilibria and power concentration, 7. Economics as an inexact science, 8. Utilitarianism and welfare theory, 9. The ethics of duty and rights, 10. Ethics of justice, 11.Ethics of virtue and care, 12. Overview, 13. Towards more labour market participation of parents?, 14. Pension system reforms and solidarity efficiency and solidarity, 15. Cosmetic surgery, utility and freedom, 16. More economic freedom, less collective leisure time?, 17. Does ICT promote well being?, 18. Ethical questions about globalisation, 19. Free market, world poverty and the duty to provide development aid, 20.Towards an economics of enough? 21 Concluding remarks

    Biography

    Johan J. Graafland