Overview

Capitalist societies are full of unacceptable inequalities. Freedom is of paramount importance. These two convictions are widely shared across the world. Yet they often seem in complete contradiction with each other. Fighting inequality jeopardizes freedom; taking freedom seriously boosts inequality. What can be done? Can the circle be squared? Philippe Van Parijs offers a ground breaking solution to the dilemma. Assessing and rejecting the claims of both socialism and conventional capitalism, he presents a clear and compelling alternative vision of the just society: a capitalist society offering a substantial unconditional basic income to all its members. Moving beyond pure political theory, Van Parijs shows what his ideal of free society means in the real world by drawing out its controversial policy implications. Real Freedom for All will be essential reading for anyone concerned about the just society and the welfare state as we move into the twenty first century.

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9780198293576

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The most forceful and sophisticated advocate of basic income from [a principled] angle. --Journal of Political Philosophy This is clearly an importasnt work in political theory. It's superbly written and argued, full of insights from economic theory. More importantly, it is, broadly speaking, right. . . .Van Parijs's book .... makes clear that he is among the leading contemporary theorists. --Ethics A highly original defense of capitalism's legitimacy....First-rate analysis, not the least because it confronts theories of justice at the intersection between philosophy and economics. --Choice

Real Freedom for All is not just an exercise in political advocacy. It is an important piece of social philosophy on its own right. Although Van Parijs's main concern is to defend his own views, this book amounts to a critical guide through much of the recent literature on the topics it addresses. Professional philosophers will therefore find it stimulating and instructive, even as they take issue with one or another of its many controversial contentions. Andrew Levine, The Philosophical Review, Vol.105 No.4

The most forceful and sophisticated advocate of basic income from [a principled] angle. --Journal of Political Philosophy<br> This is clearly an importasnt work in political theory. It's superbly written and argued, full of insights from economic theory. More importantly, it is, broadly speaking, right. . . .Van Parijs's book .... makes clear that he is among the leading contemporary theorists. --Ethics<br> A highly original defense of capitalism's legitimacy....First-rate analysis, not the least because it confronts theories of justice at the intersection between philosophy and economics. --Choice<br>

Author Information

Philippe Van Parijs is a Professor of Economic and Social Ethics at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.

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