Free markets and social justice / monograph

The newest work from one of the most preeminent voices writing in the legal/political arena today, this important book presents a new conception of the relationship between free markets and social justice. The work begins with foundations—the appropriate role of existing "preferences," the importance of social norms, the question whether human goods are commensurable, and issues of distributional equity. Continuing with rights, the work shows that markets have only a partial but instrumental role in the protection of rights. The book concludes with a discussion on regulation, developing approaches that would promote both economic and democratic goals, especially in the context of risks to life and health. Free Markets and Social Justice develops seven basic themes during its discussion: the myth of laissez-faire; preference formation and social norms; the contextual character of choice; the importance of fair distribution; the diversity of human goods; how law can shape preferences; and the puzzles of human rationality. As the latest word from an internationally-renowned writer, this work will raise a number of important questions about economic analysis of law in its conventional form. We are in the midst of a worldwide debate over whether there should be "more" or "less" government. As enthusiasm for free markets mounts - in both former Communist nations and in Western countries such as England and the United States - is it productive to attempt to solve problems through this "more/less" dichotomy? Written by one of the preeminent voices in the legal/political arena today, this ground-breaking book moves beyond the "more/less" question by presenting a new conception of the relationship between free markets and social justice. Instead of asking whether there should be more or less regulation, Cass R. Sunstein asks readers to consider what kinds of regulations promote human well-being in different contexts. He develops seven basic themes, involving the myth of laissez-faire, the importance of fair distribution, the puzzle of human rationality, the diversity of human goods, the role of social norms in forming people's preferences, the contextual character of choice, and the effects of law on human desires. As the latest word from an internationally renowned writer, Free Markets and Social Justice suggests a new way of understanding the role of the economic marketplace in a democratic society. Annotation The newest work from one of the most preeminent voices writing in the legal/political arena today, this important book presents a new conception of the relationship between free markets and social justice. The work begins with foundations--the appropriate role of existing "preferences," theimportance of social norms, the question whether human goods are commensurable, and issues of distributional equity. Continuing with rights, the work shows that markets have only a partial but instrumental role in the protection of rights. The book concludes with a discussion on regulation, developing approaches that would promote both economic and democratic goals, especially in the context of risks to life and health. Free Markets and Social Justice develops seven basic themes during its discussion: the myth of laissez-faire; preference formation and social norms; the contextual character of choice; the importance of fair distribution; the diversity of human goods; how law can shape preferences; and the puzzlesof human rationality. As the latest word from an internationally-renowned writer, this work will raise a number of important questions about economic analysis of law in its conventional form In this title, Sunstein presents a wide-ranging analysis of free markets and their limits, and discussion of law and economics as a field. He explores "free markets" and social justice in three main parts. The book raises a number of questions about economic analysis of law in its conventional form.