TJ: Liberal Egalitarianism by the Right

The Minimal State

Nozick's Entitlement Theory: Nozick argues that the only justifiable state is a "minimal state." Any state more extensive is considered invasive and a violation of citizen rights.

Three Pillars of Justice

Just distribution is based on three elements: Original Acquisition, Transfer of Holdings, and Reactification of Justice.

Original Acquisition

How individuals first come to own unowned things.

Transfer of Holdings

How ownership is legitimately passed from one person to another (e.g., voluntary exchange or gifts).

Rectification of Injustice

Correcting distributions where the first two principles were violated (e.g., returning stolen goods).

Historical vs. End-State Views

Nozick favors a historical view, which looks at how a distribution came to be, rather than an end-state view (like Utilitarianism or Rawls's Difference Principle), which only looks at the current pattern of distribution.

Non-Patterned vs. Patterned Views

Nozick argues against "patterned" theories (e.g., "to each according to their merit") because they cannot account for voluntary transfers and require constant, unjust state interference to maintain.

The Scenario (The Wilt Chamberlain Example)

If fans willingly pay an extra 25 cents to see Wilt Chamberlain play, and he ends up much wealthier than everyone else, Nozick argues this distribution ($D_2$) is just because it resulted from voluntary choices from a just starting point ($D_1$).

The Argument (The Wilt Chamberlain Example)

Any attempt by the state to tax or redistribute Chamberlain's wealth is an unjust interference with liberty.

Internal Inconsistency

Rawlsian critique of Nozick: Even a minimal state requires "interference" (laws, courts, police) to protect property rights, such as removing trespassers from a mansion.

Taxation vs. Forced Labor

While Nozick equates taxation with forced labor, Rawlsians argue they are different because workers can quit their jobs freely.

Intergenerational Injustice

Huge wealth disparities (like Chamberlain's) create unequal opportunities for the next generation, which Rawlsian theory views as unjust because success should not be predetermined by social background.

Labor Mixing

Locke argues property is acquired by "mixing one's labor" with natural resources.

Two Provisos

Locke's Theory of Property:

1. Spoilage Condition: You cannot take more than you can use before it spoils.

2. Lockean Proviso: You must leave "enough and as good" for others.

Comparison with Nozick

Locke's Theory of Property:

While they share similarities, they disagree on inheritance; Locke might view inheriting vast uncultivated land as unjust, whereas Nozick would see it as a just transfer.