Justice in a Non-Ideal World: Bridging the Gap Between Political Theory and Real-World Politics (Studies in Social and Global Justice)

The realisation of justice in the real world requires political theory and political action. This book offers a road map for these two notions to connect. It explains how action-guiding principles are formulated by seeking cross-disciplinary input. Also, it casts light on the concepts that occupy the space between political theory and real-world politics, which are often used as reasons to obstruct the progression of social justice, e.g. feasibility, fact-sensitivity, compliance and path-dependence. This book argues for a re-appropriation of these concepts in the name of justice. Many examples will be provided. In particular, the book focuses on the case of climate change. It offers two case studies on the realisation of climate justice. Cover Justice in a Non-Ideal World Series page Justice in a Non-Ideal World: Bridging the Gap Between Political Theory and Real-World Politics Imprint page Dedication Epigraph Contents Figures Abbreviations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Defining Theory and Ideal A Characterisation of Ideal and Non-Ideal Theory The Argumentative Structure of This Book Overview of the Chapters Part I Chapter 1 On the Roles and Limits of Ideal Theory 1.1 Rawls and Ideal Theory 1.2 Idealisations 1.3 The Value of Ideal Theory 1.4 On the Use of Idealisations: Good and Bad Theories 1.5 The Priority of Ideal Theory: Path Dependence and Full Compliance 1.6 Ideal Theory as Target 1.7 Ideal Theory as Measure 1.8 Conclusion Chapter 2 Overcoming the ‘Paradox’ of Ideal Theory 2.1 The Paradox of Ideal Theory 2.2 Exploring the Paradox 2.3 Exploring the Distinction 2.4 The Functions of Ideal and Non-Ideal Theory 2.5 Reflective Equilibrium and Integration 2.6 Action Guidance 2.7 Conclusion Chapter 3 Action Guidance in a Non-Ideal World 3.1 The Global Justice Debate: An Overview 3.2 Moving beyond Cosmopolitanism and Statism 3.3 The Methodology of Non-Ideal Theory 3.4 Proceeding from the Practice 3.5 The Content of Non-Ideal Theory and the Question of Compliance 3.6 Fact Sensitivity, Feasibility, and Path Dependence 3.7 Conclusion Chapter 4 Transitional Theory 4.1 The Theory of Second Best 4.2 Transition and Reflective Integration 4.3 Dynamic Duties and Path Dependence 4.4 Ideals and Social Progress 4.5 The Political Philosopher at the Gates of Social Sciences 4.6 Conclusion Part II Chapter 5 Tax Competition 5.1 The Problem of Tax Competition 5.2 Impacts of Tax Competition 5.3 Assessment from the Standpoint of Justice 5.4 Non-Ideal Principles for Tax Competition 5.5 Interpreting Principles in Non-Ideal Circumstances 5.6 Institutional Design and Path Dependence 5.7 Conclusion Chapter 6 Climate Justice 6.1 Climate Change 6.2 Scientific Constraints 6.3 Climate Justice and Ideal Theory 6.4 Historical Responsibility and Agents’ Capacity to Act 6.5 Mitigation, Development, and Responsibilities 6.6 Non-Ideal World Challenges and Strategies 6.7 Insights for Reflective Integration 6.8 Conclusion Chapter 7 Carbon Pricing 7.1 MBIs and a Changing Climate 7.2 A Bottom-Up Approach 7.3 Normative Grounds for Pricing Carbon 7.4 The Economics of Pricing Carbon 7.5 Internal Problems of Justice with Market-Based Instruments 7.6 Designing MBIs to Become Instruments of Justice 7.7 Reflective Integration and Action Guidance 7.8 Conclusion Conclusion Notes Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 References Index About the Author The realisation of justice in the real world requires moral principles and political action. This book offers a roadmap for these two notions to connect. It explains how action-guiding principles are formulated by seeking cross-disciplinary input. Also, it casts light on the concepts that occupy the space between political morality and real-world politics, which are often used as reasons to obstruct the progression of social justice, e.g. feasibility, fact-sensitivity, compliance and path-dependence. This book argues for a re-appropriation of these concepts in the name of justice. Many examples will be provided, but the book focuses especially on the case of climate change. It will offer a detailed case study on the realisation of climate justice Introduction -- On the roles and limits of ideal theory -- Overcoming the 'paradox' of ideal theory -- Action-guidance in a non-ideal world -- Transitional theory : connecting ideals with political action -- Tax competition -- Climate justice -- Carbon pricing -- Conclusion -- References -- List of figures -- Figure 2.1. three theoretical levels and their associated functions -- Figure 5.1. top income countries for affiliates of US multinational firms -- Figure 5.2. top employment countries for affiliates of US multinational firm -- Figure 6.1 the development challenge and mitigation efficiency -- Figure 7.1. BAU emissions and stabilisation trajectories