Entitlement theory of justice and end-state fairness in the allocation of goods

Authors

Biung-Ghi Ju, Department of Economics, Seoul National University, Korea
Juan D. Moreno-Ternero, Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain, and CORE, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.Follow

Working Paper Number

2016-14

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

Robert Nozick allegedly introduced his liberal theory of private ownership as an objection to theories of end-state justice. Nevertheless, we show that, in a stylized framework for the allocation of goods in joint ventures, both approaches can be seen as complementary. More precisely, in such a context, self-ownership (the basis for Nozick’s entitlement theory of justice) followed by voluntary transfer (Nozick’s principle of just transfer) can lead to end-state fairness (as well as Pareto efficiency). Furthermore, under a certain solidarity condition, the only way to achieve end-state fairness, following Nozick’s procedure, is to endorse an egalitarian rule for the initial assignment of rights.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/9452364

Recommended Citation

Ju, Biung-Ghi and Moreno-Ternero, Juan D., "Entitlement theory of justice and end-state fairness in the allocation of goods" (2016). Economics Department Working Paper Series. 213.
https://doi.org/10.7275/9452364