Ashford 3: – Week 2 – Discussion 2

Justice and Socio-Economic Class

In Chapter 2 of the textbook, the   author describes meanings for the concept of socio-economic class and   analyzes how perceptions of justice may be influenced by class distinctions   in American society (see Section 2.4). He also references the related views of   two provocative and thought-provoking contemporary scholars. Robert H. Frank   provides an economic analysis, and Charles Murray offers a socio-cultural   interpretation. In this discussion, you will summarize the perspective of one   of these scholars and evaluate its relevance to understanding how class   influences beliefs about justice. Review the questions below and select one   (only one) of these scholars as the focus of your initial post. Robert H. Frank.  Debates about distributive        justice among economic classes often characterize the outlook of the        rich as libertarian, the views of the poor as egalitarian, and the        perspective of the middle-class as utilitarian. This over-simplified        framework may translate into conflicting ideologies about the role of government        in achieving economic justice. On one extreme are libertarian proponents        of the free market and on the other extreme are egalitarian proponents        of socialism. In the middle are a variety of “mixed” approaches to the        role of government in the economy that promote utilitarian concepts of        distributive justice – the greatest good for the greatest possible        number of people.

       Cornell University economist Robert Frank, in his recent provocative        book, The Darwin Economy: Liberty, Competition, and the Common Good,        rejects – but not completely – both the libertarian and egalitarian        extremes. Instead, he advocates a new role for government that        encourages individuals toward self-interested economic behavior that        also advances the economic welfare of all members of the community.

       In your initial post, summarize Frank’s arguments – both his criticism        of the libertarian and egalitarian extremes. Then, analyze his proposals        on how to achieve greater economic justice for the whole community.        Finally, evaluate the relevance or usefulness of his views for        understanding how economic class differences may influence perceptions        of distributive justice. Do you think his views may be appreciated as        just by rich people? Poor people? Middle-class people? Explain your        conclusion.

       To help you successfully complete this discussion, review the following        resources in the order they are listed:  Darwin, the         market whiz Robert Frank on         “the Darwin economy” Robert Frank:         “The Darwin economy: Liberty, competition, and the common         good” [Radio broadcast] Charles Murray.  Commutative        justice rests on a shared understanding of the rights and        responsibilities of all parties to the basic social contract that holds        a society together. On one level, the U.S. Constitution might be        characterized as part of the social contract on which the American        political system is based. But on a deeper, more fundamental, level, the        social contract includes shared values which shape our expectations of        others and ourselves with respect to morality, culture, self-reliance,        and collective responsibility.

       Charles Murray, a political scientist at the conservative American        Enterprise Institute, calls into question the relevance of the social        contract which he sees as the source of “the founding virtues” on which        American civic life depends. In his recent provocative book, Coming        Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010, he argues that “Our        nation is coming apart at the seams” – “not ethnic seams, but the seams        of class” (Confessore, 2012). He focuses on what he sees as the social        and moral collapse of the white working class and the growing cultural        gap between them and the white upper class.

       In your initial post, summarize Murray’s description of the white        working class and the white upper class. Also, analyze the basis for his        pessimistic outlook about government’s ability to solve this problem and        re-invigorate America’s social contract. Finally, evaluate the relevance        or usefulness of his views for understanding how socio-economic class        differences may influence perceptions of commutative justice. Do the        white working class and the white upper class no longer have a shared        understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the basic social        contract? Explain your conclusion.

       To help you successfully complete this discussion, review the following        resources in the order they are listed:  Tramps like them:         Charles Murray examines the white working class in ‘Coming Apart’ Can the working         class be saved? Charles Murray on         white America [Radio broadcast]

   Your initial post should be at least 300 words in length. Support your claims   with examples from two of the required resources and properly cite any   references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7 whose   viewpoints are different from yours. Each peer response must be at least 125   words. Stimulate critical thinking by contrasting your perspective with your   classmate’s and explaining yours, or by asking your classmate a question and   explaining why your question is significant.