How Rich Should the 1% Be?: Proportional Justice and Economic Inequality

This book explores how excessive economic inequality gives the best-off considerably more political influence than average citizens, violating political equality. It argues that the gap between the best-off and the worst-off should not be reduced but should be protected to enable both to be co-authors of the legal, political, and socioeconomic rules that govern social relations. It also discusses material domination and remedies, social justice, power, poverty, efficiency, individual merit, and economic liberties, and how to determine income and wealth limit ratios in a liberal democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The question of how rich the 1% should be and when the economic resources gap between the richest citizens and the average citizenry becomes a concern for justice is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been the subject of much debate and discussion. In this volume, we explore the ways in which excessive economic inequality gives the best-off considerably more political influence than average citizens, thereby violating political equality.

We argue that the gap between the best-off and the worst-off should not be reduced as a matter of principle, but rather as an inescapable instrument to protect citizens from the risk of material domination. This means that economic inequality should not exceed a certain range or proportion to enable both the best-off and the worst-off to be co-authors of the legal, political, and socioeconomic rules that govern the social relations in which they are involved.

The book also discusses material domination and its impact on politics. We explore how money influences political decisions and the remedies for this phenomenon. We also discuss how social justice should face and harmonize power, poverty, efficiency, individual merit, and economic liberties.

Determining income and wealth limit ratios in a liberal democracy is another critical issue that we address in the book. We argue that these ratios should be determined based on a combination of factors, including economic growth, social welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Overall, this volume provides a thoughtful investigation on the interdependencies of money and justice and their influence on our socio-political systems. It will be of great interest to students and researchers of political theory, political philosophy, economics and development, economics theory and philosophy, and social policy.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367756987