The Liberal Ethics of Non- Interference and the Pareto Principle

Authors

Marco Mariotti, University of St AndrewsFollow
Roberto Veneziani, University of Massachusetts, AmherstFollow

Working Paper Number

2014-01

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

We analyze the liberal ethics of noninterference applied to social choice. A liberal principle capturing non-interfering views of society and inspired by John Stuart Mills conception of liberty, is examined. The principle captures the idea that society should not penalize agents after changes in their situation that do not affect others. An impossibility for liberal approaches is highlighted: every social decision rule that satisfies unanimity and a general principle of noninterference must be dictatorial. This raises some important issues for liberal approaches in social choice and political philosophy.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/5101889

Recommended Citation

Mariotti, Marco and Veneziani, Roberto, "The Liberal Ethics of Non- Interference and the Pareto Principle" (2014). Economics Department Working Paper Series. 164.
https://doi.org/10.7275/5101889