Single Idea 23083

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 3. Welfare provision]

Full Idea

In welfare legislation, liberals concentrate on what people need rather than on what they deserve.

Gist of Idea

Liberal welfare focuses on need rather than desert

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 01,2)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.5


A Reaction

He makes assessing what people 'deserve' sound easy. Do drowning people deserve to be rescued? Do billionaires deserve their wealth (which is not the same as 'did they acquire it legally')? What do rude people deserve?