Democracy and Just Plain Capitalism

What is it about?

For democracy to be liberal, it must respect all individuals’ civil and political rights. Superadding a requirement of “egalitarianism” that goes beyond this universal respect is not clearly compatible with liberalism, and thus with liberal democracy. So the claim that it is “unfair” that some have others is bogus. Individuals’ doing as they see best, while respecting others’ similar rights, will do differentially well. Rawls thought he had provided a formula for reconciling equality with liberty in his “difference principle”. But that principle, in the end, supports capitalism, not socialism oir other severely restrictive doctrines. Socialism is starkly illiberal, and capitalism has the notable virtue that it works.

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Why is it important?

Careful examination of critiques of free market society bolsters the case for the free market.

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