Tom Tietenberg
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195189650
- eISBN:
- 9780199783694
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195189650.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This essay reviews data on tradable permit systems in various contexts, including air pollution regulation, water supply, fisheries management, grazing rights allocation, water quality, and wetlands ...
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This essay reviews data on tradable permit systems in various contexts, including air pollution regulation, water supply, fisheries management, grazing rights allocation, water quality, and wetlands preservation. These programs are evaluated against three criteria: implementation feasibility, environmental effectiveness, and economic effectiveness. The analysis makes clear that the particular characteristics of these different regimes affect the evaluation of their performance. Beyond reporting substantive results for each program, the essay offers insight into the methodological difficulties of ex post evaluations generally. For example, not all studies define economic efficiency or environmental effectiveness in the same way, and studies vary in their choice of comparative benchmark or counterfactual, which can significantly affect results. Ex post evaluations differ as well in terms of both scope (i.e., which outcomes are considered exogenous and which endogenous) and timing (i.e., the point in the life of the program when the evaluation is done). All of these choices can influence the resulting interpretations.Less
This essay reviews data on tradable permit systems in various contexts, including air pollution regulation, water supply, fisheries management, grazing rights allocation, water quality, and wetlands preservation. These programs are evaluated against three criteria: implementation feasibility, environmental effectiveness, and economic effectiveness. The analysis makes clear that the particular characteristics of these different regimes affect the evaluation of their performance. Beyond reporting substantive results for each program, the essay offers insight into the methodological difficulties of ex post evaluations generally. For example, not all studies define economic efficiency or environmental effectiveness in the same way, and studies vary in their choice of comparative benchmark or counterfactual, which can significantly affect results. Ex post evaluations differ as well in terms of both scope (i.e., which outcomes are considered exogenous and which endogenous) and timing (i.e., the point in the life of the program when the evaluation is done). All of these choices can influence the resulting interpretations.
Thomas Christiano
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198297475
- eISBN:
- 9780191716867
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198297475.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, Political Theory
This chapter sketches a foundational defense of the principle of equality of advancement of interests. The argument proceeds by showing that justice is grounded in the dignity of persons. The dignity ...
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This chapter sketches a foundational defense of the principle of equality of advancement of interests. The argument proceeds by showing that justice is grounded in the dignity of persons. The dignity of persons, properly understood, grounds some main principles at the root of justice and these main principles ground the principle of equality in the distribution of well-being. It undermines one main (perhaps the main) objection to the principle of equality: the leveling down objection. Once we see how the principle of equality is grounded we will see that it is a common good principle: it does not permit leveling down for the sake of feasible equality. Principles of desert and productivity are shown to be legitimate at most within a framework of equality and severely limited by it.Less
This chapter sketches a foundational defense of the principle of equality of advancement of interests. The argument proceeds by showing that justice is grounded in the dignity of persons. The dignity of persons, properly understood, grounds some main principles at the root of justice and these main principles ground the principle of equality in the distribution of well-being. It undermines one main (perhaps the main) objection to the principle of equality: the leveling down objection. Once we see how the principle of equality is grounded we will see that it is a common good principle: it does not permit leveling down for the sake of feasible equality. Principles of desert and productivity are shown to be legitimate at most within a framework of equality and severely limited by it.
Pablo Gilabert
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199639717
- eISBN:
- 9780191739033
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199639717.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Do we have positive duties to help others in need or are our moral duties only negative, focused on not harming them? Are any of the former duties of justice that respond to enforceable rights? Is ...
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Do we have positive duties to help others in need or are our moral duties only negative, focused on not harming them? Are any of the former duties of justice that respond to enforceable rights? Is their scope global? Should we aim for global equality besides the eradication of severe global poverty? Is a humanist approach to egalitarian distribution based on rights that all human beings as such have defensible, or must egalitarian distribution be seen in an associativist way, as tracking existing frameworks such as statehood and economic interdependence? Are the eradication of global poverty and the achievement of global equality practically feasible or are they hopelessly utopian wishes? This book argues that there are basic positive duties of justice to help eradicate severe global poverty, that global egalitarian principles are also reasonable even if they cannot be fully realized in the short term, and that there are dynamic duties to enhance the feasibility of the transition from global poverty to global equality in the face of nonideal circumstances such as the absence of robust international institutions and the lack of a strong ethos of cosmopolitan solidarity. The very notion of feasibility is crucial for normative reasoning, but has received little explicit philosophical discussion. This book offers a systematic exploration of that concept as well as of its application to global justice. It also arbitrates the current debate between humanist and associativist accounts of the scope of distributive justice. Drawing on moral contractualism (the view that we ought to follow the principles that no one could reasonably reject), this book provides a novel defense of humanism, challenges several versions of associativism (which remains the most popular view among political philosophers), and seeks to integrate the insights underlying both views.Less
Do we have positive duties to help others in need or are our moral duties only negative, focused on not harming them? Are any of the former duties of justice that respond to enforceable rights? Is their scope global? Should we aim for global equality besides the eradication of severe global poverty? Is a humanist approach to egalitarian distribution based on rights that all human beings as such have defensible, or must egalitarian distribution be seen in an associativist way, as tracking existing frameworks such as statehood and economic interdependence? Are the eradication of global poverty and the achievement of global equality practically feasible or are they hopelessly utopian wishes? This book argues that there are basic positive duties of justice to help eradicate severe global poverty, that global egalitarian principles are also reasonable even if they cannot be fully realized in the short term, and that there are dynamic duties to enhance the feasibility of the transition from global poverty to global equality in the face of nonideal circumstances such as the absence of robust international institutions and the lack of a strong ethos of cosmopolitan solidarity. The very notion of feasibility is crucial for normative reasoning, but has received little explicit philosophical discussion. This book offers a systematic exploration of that concept as well as of its application to global justice. It also arbitrates the current debate between humanist and associativist accounts of the scope of distributive justice. Drawing on moral contractualism (the view that we ought to follow the principles that no one could reasonably reject), this book provides a novel defense of humanism, challenges several versions of associativism (which remains the most popular view among political philosophers), and seeks to integrate the insights underlying both views.
Allen Buchanan
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780198295358
- eISBN:
- 9780191600982
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198295359.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Ch. 10 summarized the main proposals for reform that have been argued in this book, briefly restating the moral framework linking justice, legitimacy, and self‐determination that grounds them, and ...
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Ch. 10 summarized the main proposals for reform that have been argued in this book, briefly restating the moral framework linking justice, legitimacy, and self‐determination that grounds them, and noting that implementing the proposed reforms probably would require significant changes in international law regarding armed intervention. The aims of this chapter are (1) to explain more fully why a new legal framework for armed intervention is needed for successful legal reform, (2) to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the major types of strategies for achieving the needed reform in the law of armed intervention, from the perspective of both feasibility and morality, and (3) to show that the most promising strategy for reform may be the creation of a treaty‐based, rule‐governed liberal‐democratic regime for armed intervention that bypasses the current UN Charter‐based requirement of Security Council authorization and that does not depend upon the US to act as the world's policeman. In addition, it is argued that although the most promising strategy for reform may require violating existing international law, it is nonetheless morally justifiable. The more general point made is that under certain conditions a willingness to violate existing international law for the sake of reforming it can be not only consistent with a sincere commitment to the rule of law, but even required by it. The six sections of the chapter are: I. The Need for Reform regarding the Law of Intervention; II. Three Types of Strategies for Legal Reform; III. The Morality of Illegal Legal Reform; IV. The Commitment to the Rule of Law; V. Moral Authority; and VI. Conclusions.Less
Ch. 10 summarized the main proposals for reform that have been argued in this book, briefly restating the moral framework linking justice, legitimacy, and self‐determination that grounds them, and noting that implementing the proposed reforms probably would require significant changes in international law regarding armed intervention. The aims of this chapter are (1) to explain more fully why a new legal framework for armed intervention is needed for successful legal reform, (2) to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the major types of strategies for achieving the needed reform in the law of armed intervention, from the perspective of both feasibility and morality, and (3) to show that the most promising strategy for reform may be the creation of a treaty‐based, rule‐governed liberal‐democratic regime for armed intervention that bypasses the current UN Charter‐based requirement of Security Council authorization and that does not depend upon the US to act as the world's policeman. In addition, it is argued that although the most promising strategy for reform may require violating existing international law, it is nonetheless morally justifiable. The more general point made is that under certain conditions a willingness to violate existing international law for the sake of reforming it can be not only consistent with a sincere commitment to the rule of law, but even required by it. The six sections of the chapter are: I. The Need for Reform regarding the Law of Intervention; II. Three Types of Strategies for Legal Reform; III. The Morality of Illegal Legal Reform; IV. The Commitment to the Rule of Law; V. Moral Authority; and VI. Conclusions.
Robin Archer
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198295389
- eISBN:
- 9780191598722
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198295383.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Seeks to clarify the concept of feasibility and distinguish it from concepts of viability and efficiency. It focuses on the question of whether there is a feasible strategy that would enable the ...
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Seeks to clarify the concept of feasibility and distinguish it from concepts of viability and efficiency. It focuses on the question of whether there is a feasible strategy that would enable the labour movement to move step by step towards economic democracy, beginning with circumstances as they exist at present. The chapter suggests that discussion should be limited to advanced capitalist countries with politically significant labour movements.Less
Seeks to clarify the concept of feasibility and distinguish it from concepts of viability and efficiency. It focuses on the question of whether there is a feasible strategy that would enable the labour movement to move step by step towards economic democracy, beginning with circumstances as they exist at present. The chapter suggests that discussion should be limited to advanced capitalist countries with politically significant labour movements.
Machiko Nissanke
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- January 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199278558
- eISBN:
- 9780191601590
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199278555.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The principal objective here is to assess the potential of currency transactions taxes (CTTs) – the celebrated Tobin tax – to raise revenues that can be used for developmental purposes. Thus, though ...
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The principal objective here is to assess the potential of currency transactions taxes (CTTs) – the celebrated Tobin tax – to raise revenues that can be used for developmental purposes. Thus, though Tobin proposed and others assessed CTTs in terms of reducing exchange rate volatility and improving macroeconomic policy environments, this chapter considers the CTT first and foremost from the standpoint of revenue and treats its potential to achieve valuable double dividends (such as the promotion of financial stability and policy autonomy) as a subsidiary objective. With a view of establishing the ‘permissible’ range of tax rates to obtain realistic estimates of revenue potential from CTTs, the debate on the effects of CTTs on market liquidity and the efficiency of foreign exchange markets is reviewed, and the P. B. Spahn proposal for a two‐tier currency tax briefly assessed. Next, a number of issues raised in the debate on the technical and political feasibility of CTTs are discussed, followed by an evaluation of several new proposals, such as those advanced by R. Schmidt and R. P. Mendez. The last two sections of the chapter present estimates of the potential revenue from CTTs in light of recent changes in the composition and structure of foreign exchange markets and give a concluding assessment of the potential of CTTs as a revenue‐raising tax instrument and their ability to achieve double dividends.Less
The principal objective here is to assess the potential of currency transactions taxes (CTTs) – the celebrated Tobin tax – to raise revenues that can be used for developmental purposes. Thus, though Tobin proposed and others assessed CTTs in terms of reducing exchange rate volatility and improving macroeconomic policy environments, this chapter considers the CTT first and foremost from the standpoint of revenue and treats its potential to achieve valuable double dividends (such as the promotion of financial stability and policy autonomy) as a subsidiary objective. With a view of establishing the ‘permissible’ range of tax rates to obtain realistic estimates of revenue potential from CTTs, the debate on the effects of CTTs on market liquidity and the efficiency of foreign exchange markets is reviewed, and the P. B. Spahn proposal for a two‐tier currency tax briefly assessed. Next, a number of issues raised in the debate on the technical and political feasibility of CTTs are discussed, followed by an evaluation of several new proposals, such as those advanced by R. Schmidt and R. P. Mendez. The last two sections of the chapter present estimates of the potential revenue from CTTs in light of recent changes in the composition and structure of foreign exchange markets and give a concluding assessment of the potential of CTTs as a revenue‐raising tax instrument and their ability to achieve double dividends.
Claus Nielsen
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199593859
- eISBN:
- 9780191731457
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199593859.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter explores the practical implications of the cosmopolitan ideal of a just world order, and discusses ‘the guidance critique’ of this ideal: the claim that cosmopolitan theories are too ...
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This chapter explores the practical implications of the cosmopolitan ideal of a just world order, and discusses ‘the guidance critique’ of this ideal: the claim that cosmopolitan theories are too idealistic to guide action in real-world circumstances. It argues that proponents of this critique either misapply cosmopolitan principles, or have unreasonable expectations regarding the sort of guidance a theory of justice can plausibly deliver. Theories of justice do not answer questions such as: ‘What specific actions ought we to take, here and now?’ Instead, they offer normative frameworks for guiding our thinking with respect to such questions. Because cosmopolitanism does provide a distinctive normative framework – that is, it insists that our international distributive duties are grounded in justice, as opposed to humanitarian assistance – it fulfils the guidance requirements that can plausibly be placed on a theory of justice.Less
This chapter explores the practical implications of the cosmopolitan ideal of a just world order, and discusses ‘the guidance critique’ of this ideal: the claim that cosmopolitan theories are too idealistic to guide action in real-world circumstances. It argues that proponents of this critique either misapply cosmopolitan principles, or have unreasonable expectations regarding the sort of guidance a theory of justice can plausibly deliver. Theories of justice do not answer questions such as: ‘What specific actions ought we to take, here and now?’ Instead, they offer normative frameworks for guiding our thinking with respect to such questions. Because cosmopolitanism does provide a distinctive normative framework – that is, it insists that our international distributive duties are grounded in justice, as opposed to humanitarian assistance – it fulfils the guidance requirements that can plausibly be placed on a theory of justice.
Gillian Brock
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199230938
- eISBN:
- 9780191710957
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230938.003.0013
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
This chapter begins by summarizing central findings from the book. The main task of the chapter, however, is to address feasibility skeptics, that is, those who believe that trying to implement the ...
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This chapter begins by summarizing central findings from the book. The main task of the chapter, however, is to address feasibility skeptics, that is, those who believe that trying to implement the model of global justice argued for in this work is not feasible. Feasibility concerns may take a number of forms. Eight kinds of skepticism about the feasibility of global justice are distinguished, covering such areas as, feasibility about the goals of global justice, how we might make progress toward them, how we might track progress, and how we might create the motivation to pursue global justice. Responses to all eight kinds of feasibility skepticism are supplied, drawing on material introduced throughout the book as well as introducing relevant new arguments.Less
This chapter begins by summarizing central findings from the book. The main task of the chapter, however, is to address feasibility skeptics, that is, those who believe that trying to implement the model of global justice argued for in this work is not feasible. Feasibility concerns may take a number of forms. Eight kinds of skepticism about the feasibility of global justice are distinguished, covering such areas as, feasibility about the goals of global justice, how we might make progress toward them, how we might track progress, and how we might create the motivation to pursue global justice. Responses to all eight kinds of feasibility skepticism are supplied, drawing on material introduced throughout the book as well as introducing relevant new arguments.
David Favre
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195305104
- eISBN:
- 9780199850556
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195305104.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
This chapter discusses issues concerning the awarding of new legal rights to nonhuman animals. It argues that animals should, in an important sense, be allowed to own themselves, and explains what ...
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This chapter discusses issues concerning the awarding of new legal rights to nonhuman animals. It argues that animals should, in an important sense, be allowed to own themselves, and explains what this would mean in practice. The chapter suggests that one of the main problem of the animal rights movement is the tendency of their leaders to support only the purest philosophical position, regardless of political feasibility. It also considers the present possibility of moving towards the recognition of new rights for animals by awarding them the status of equitable self-ownership.Less
This chapter discusses issues concerning the awarding of new legal rights to nonhuman animals. It argues that animals should, in an important sense, be allowed to own themselves, and explains what this would mean in practice. The chapter suggests that one of the main problem of the animal rights movement is the tendency of their leaders to support only the purest philosophical position, regardless of political feasibility. It also considers the present possibility of moving towards the recognition of new rights for animals by awarding them the status of equitable self-ownership.
Timothy Fowler
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781529201635
- eISBN:
- 9781529201680
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781529201635.003.0001
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Ethical Issues and Debates
The chapter defends the use of ideal theory, and that moral theory should rely on insights from the social sciences. An ideal theory is one that assumes away some political constraints, while the ...
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The chapter defends the use of ideal theory, and that moral theory should rely on insights from the social sciences. An ideal theory is one that assumes away some political constraints, while the resulting model is unrealistic it plays a vital evaluative function. The conclusions of the social sciences matter in virtue of concepts like wellbeing, which are partly empirical.Less
The chapter defends the use of ideal theory, and that moral theory should rely on insights from the social sciences. An ideal theory is one that assumes away some political constraints, while the resulting model is unrealistic it plays a vital evaluative function. The conclusions of the social sciences matter in virtue of concepts like wellbeing, which are partly empirical.
Richard W. Miller
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199581986
- eISBN:
- 9780191723247
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199581986.003.0009
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
In practice, the relational approach of this book turns out to have much in common with the perspectives of impartial concern, global egalitarianism, or demanding global beneficence whose foundations ...
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In practice, the relational approach of this book turns out to have much in common with the perspectives of impartial concern, global egalitarianism, or demanding global beneficence whose foundations it undermines. Combined with the real if limited transnational demands of beneficence, the transnational interactions whose moral impact has been traced generate a vast sum of unmet responsibilities of people in developed countries to help needy people in all developing countries. Despite the limited efficacy of foreign aid, fulfillment of these responsibilities would provide great benefits to these people, at significant cost to some disadvantaged people in developed countries. Within stringent limits of political feasibility, efforts to reduce irresponsibility should give priority to the neediest, the same priorities as follow from impartial concern. The positive long‐term goal unifying these efforts is an aspiration to replace subordination and deprivation with global civic friendship, paralleling the aspiration to civic friendship among compatriots while taking very different forms.Less
In practice, the relational approach of this book turns out to have much in common with the perspectives of impartial concern, global egalitarianism, or demanding global beneficence whose foundations it undermines. Combined with the real if limited transnational demands of beneficence, the transnational interactions whose moral impact has been traced generate a vast sum of unmet responsibilities of people in developed countries to help needy people in all developing countries. Despite the limited efficacy of foreign aid, fulfillment of these responsibilities would provide great benefits to these people, at significant cost to some disadvantaged people in developed countries. Within stringent limits of political feasibility, efforts to reduce irresponsibility should give priority to the neediest, the same priorities as follow from impartial concern. The positive long‐term goal unifying these efforts is an aspiration to replace subordination and deprivation with global civic friendship, paralleling the aspiration to civic friendship among compatriots while taking very different forms.
Malcolm Torry
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9781447343158
- eISBN:
- 9781447343202
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447343158.003.0007
- Subject:
- Sociology, Economic Sociology
This chapter examines whether a Citizen's Basic Income is feasible — that is, capable of being legislated and implemented. To answer this question, the chapter considers multiple feasibilities: ...
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This chapter examines whether a Citizen's Basic Income is feasible — that is, capable of being legislated and implemented. To answer this question, the chapter considers multiple feasibilities: financial feasibility (whether it would be possible to finance a Citizen's Basic Income, and whether implementation would impose substantial financial losses on any households or individuals); psychological feasibility (whether the idea is readily understood, and understood to be beneficial); administrative feasibility (whether it would be possible to administer a Citizen's Basic Income and to manage the transition); behavioural feasibility (whether a Citizen's Basic Income would work for households and individuals once it was implemented); political feasibility (whether the idea would cohere with existing political ideologies); and policy process feasibility (whether the political process would be able to process the idea through to implementation). After explaining each of these feasibilities in detail, the chapter asks whether they are additive, conjunctive, or disjunctive.Less
This chapter examines whether a Citizen's Basic Income is feasible — that is, capable of being legislated and implemented. To answer this question, the chapter considers multiple feasibilities: financial feasibility (whether it would be possible to finance a Citizen's Basic Income, and whether implementation would impose substantial financial losses on any households or individuals); psychological feasibility (whether the idea is readily understood, and understood to be beneficial); administrative feasibility (whether it would be possible to administer a Citizen's Basic Income and to manage the transition); behavioural feasibility (whether a Citizen's Basic Income would work for households and individuals once it was implemented); political feasibility (whether the idea would cohere with existing political ideologies); and policy process feasibility (whether the political process would be able to process the idea through to implementation). After explaining each of these feasibilities in detail, the chapter asks whether they are additive, conjunctive, or disjunctive.
Natalie Bormann
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719074707
- eISBN:
- 9781781701331
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719074707.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Why adopt a poststructural perspective when reading about the military strategy of national missile defence (NMD)? Certainly, when considering how best to defend the United States against attack by ...
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Why adopt a poststructural perspective when reading about the military strategy of national missile defence (NMD)? Certainly, when considering how best to defend the United States against attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles, the value of critical international relations theory may be easy to overlook. So, how might the insight of scholars such as Michel Foucault contribute to our understanding of the decision-making processes behind NMD policy? The deployment of NMD is a sensitive political issue. Official justification for the significance of the NMD system is based upon strategic feasibility studies and conventional threat predictions guided by worst-case scenarios. However, this approach fails to address three key issues: the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the threat to which NMD responds; controversy over technological feasibility; and concern about cost. So, in light of these issues, why does NMD continue to stimulate such considerable interest and secure ongoing investment? Presented as an analysis of discourses on threats to national security – around which the need for NMD deployment is predominately framed – this book argues that the preferences underlying NMD deployment are driven by considerations beyond the scope of strategic approaches and issues. The conventional wisdom supporting NMD is contested using interpretive modes of inquiry provided by critical social theory and poststructuralism, and it is suggested that NMD strategy should be viewed in the context of US national identity. The book seeks to establish a dialogue between the fields of critical international relations theory and US foreign policy.Less
Why adopt a poststructural perspective when reading about the military strategy of national missile defence (NMD)? Certainly, when considering how best to defend the United States against attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles, the value of critical international relations theory may be easy to overlook. So, how might the insight of scholars such as Michel Foucault contribute to our understanding of the decision-making processes behind NMD policy? The deployment of NMD is a sensitive political issue. Official justification for the significance of the NMD system is based upon strategic feasibility studies and conventional threat predictions guided by worst-case scenarios. However, this approach fails to address three key issues: the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the threat to which NMD responds; controversy over technological feasibility; and concern about cost. So, in light of these issues, why does NMD continue to stimulate such considerable interest and secure ongoing investment? Presented as an analysis of discourses on threats to national security – around which the need for NMD deployment is predominately framed – this book argues that the preferences underlying NMD deployment are driven by considerations beyond the scope of strategic approaches and issues. The conventional wisdom supporting NMD is contested using interpretive modes of inquiry provided by critical social theory and poststructuralism, and it is suggested that NMD strategy should be viewed in the context of US national identity. The book seeks to establish a dialogue between the fields of critical international relations theory and US foreign policy.
Gillian Brock
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199230938
- eISBN:
- 9780191710957
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230938.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
This book develops a viable cosmopolitan model of global justice that takes seriously the equal moral worth of persons, yet leaves scope for defensible forms of nationalism and for other legitimate ...
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This book develops a viable cosmopolitan model of global justice that takes seriously the equal moral worth of persons, yet leaves scope for defensible forms of nationalism and for other legitimate identifications and affiliations people have. The book addresses two prominent skeptics about global justice: those who doubt its feasibility and those who believe that cosmopolitanism interferes illegitimately with the defensible scope of nationalism by undermining goods of national importance, such as authentic democracy or national self‐determination. The model addresses concerns about implementation in the world, showing how we can move from theory to public policy that makes progress toward global justice. It also makes clear how legitimate forms of nationalism are compatible with commitments to global justice. The book is divided into three central parts. In the first, the book defends a cosmopolitan model of global justice. In the second, which is largely concerned with public policy issues, it argues that there is much we can and should do toward achieving global justice. The book addresses several pressing problems, discussing bo theoretical and public policy issues involved with each. These include tackling global poverty, taxation reform, protection of basic liberties, humanitarian intervention, immigration, and problems associated with global economic arrangements. In the third part, the book shows how the discussion of public policy issues can usefully inform our theorizing; in particular, it assists our thinking about the place of nationalism and equality in an account of global justice.Less
This book develops a viable cosmopolitan model of global justice that takes seriously the equal moral worth of persons, yet leaves scope for defensible forms of nationalism and for other legitimate identifications and affiliations people have. The book addresses two prominent skeptics about global justice: those who doubt its feasibility and those who believe that cosmopolitanism interferes illegitimately with the defensible scope of nationalism by undermining goods of national importance, such as authentic democracy or national self‐determination. The model addresses concerns about implementation in the world, showing how we can move from theory to public policy that makes progress toward global justice. It also makes clear how legitimate forms of nationalism are compatible with commitments to global justice. The book is divided into three central parts. In the first, the book defends a cosmopolitan model of global justice. In the second, which is largely concerned with public policy issues, it argues that there is much we can and should do toward achieving global justice. The book addresses several pressing problems, discussing bo theoretical and public policy issues involved with each. These include tackling global poverty, taxation reform, protection of basic liberties, humanitarian intervention, immigration, and problems associated with global economic arrangements. In the third part, the book shows how the discussion of public policy issues can usefully inform our theorizing; in particular, it assists our thinking about the place of nationalism and equality in an account of global justice.
Pablo Gilabert
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199639717
- eISBN:
- 9780191739033
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199639717.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter addresses the feasibility challenge against conceptions of global justice as it applies to the fulfillment of basic socioeconomic human rights. Section 4.1 introduces the challenge. ...
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This chapter addresses the feasibility challenge against conceptions of global justice as it applies to the fulfillment of basic socioeconomic human rights. Section 4.1 introduces the challenge. Section 4.2 provides an analysis of the concept or feasibility. It identifies different types, domains, and degrees of feasibility, and explains how feasibility interacts with moral desirability in the justification of obligations. Section 4.3 accounts for the role of feasibility and desirability in the design, critique, and revision of conceptions of justice, domestic and global. Section 4.4 identifies two broad strategies of response to feasibility obstacles, one focused on levels of generality and the other on temporal variation. The notion of “dynamic duties” to expand feasible sets of political action is introduced. Section 4.5 identifies two important feasibility obstacles to the pursuit of basic global justice, which concern nonideal circumstances of lack of robust international institutions and a strong ethos of cosmopolitan solidarity. Section 4.6 responds by deploying the idea of dynamic duties within a transitional standpoint; it explores mechanisms of political empowerment such as institutional experimentation, protest, and public deliberation.Less
This chapter addresses the feasibility challenge against conceptions of global justice as it applies to the fulfillment of basic socioeconomic human rights. Section 4.1 introduces the challenge. Section 4.2 provides an analysis of the concept or feasibility. It identifies different types, domains, and degrees of feasibility, and explains how feasibility interacts with moral desirability in the justification of obligations. Section 4.3 accounts for the role of feasibility and desirability in the design, critique, and revision of conceptions of justice, domestic and global. Section 4.4 identifies two broad strategies of response to feasibility obstacles, one focused on levels of generality and the other on temporal variation. The notion of “dynamic duties” to expand feasible sets of political action is introduced. Section 4.5 identifies two important feasibility obstacles to the pursuit of basic global justice, which concern nonideal circumstances of lack of robust international institutions and a strong ethos of cosmopolitan solidarity. Section 4.6 responds by deploying the idea of dynamic duties within a transitional standpoint; it explores mechanisms of political empowerment such as institutional experimentation, protest, and public deliberation.
Gillian Brock
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199230938
- eISBN:
- 9780191710957
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230938.003.0005
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
How could we move closer to achieving global justice? In chapters 5 through 9 the case against the feasibility skeptic builds, as we see that there is much we can do that would constitute real ...
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How could we move closer to achieving global justice? In chapters 5 through 9 the case against the feasibility skeptic builds, as we see that there is much we can do that would constitute real progress toward global justice. This chapter discusses global poverty, global public goods, and taxation reform. At least 25% of the world's population is currently unable to meet their basic needs. Our neglect of various global public goods means that this situation is likely to deteriorate in the future. The chapter discusses how we can make genuine progress with respect to global poverty and the protection of global public goods by presenting considerations in favor of major taxation and accounting reform, which would enable developing countries better to help themselves. The chapter includes critical discussion of some well‐known taxes such as Thomas Pogge's Global Resource Tax, a Carbon Tax, and the Tobin Tax.Less
How could we move closer to achieving global justice? In chapters 5 through 9 the case against the feasibility skeptic builds, as we see that there is much we can do that would constitute real progress toward global justice. This chapter discusses global poverty, global public goods, and taxation reform. At least 25% of the world's population is currently unable to meet their basic needs. Our neglect of various global public goods means that this situation is likely to deteriorate in the future. The chapter discusses how we can make genuine progress with respect to global poverty and the protection of global public goods by presenting considerations in favor of major taxation and accounting reform, which would enable developing countries better to help themselves. The chapter includes critical discussion of some well‐known taxes such as Thomas Pogge's Global Resource Tax, a Carbon Tax, and the Tobin Tax.
Hrishikes Bhattacharya
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198074106
- eISBN:
- 9780199080861
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198074106.003.0017
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Financial Economics
This chapter provides a basic framework for appraising the overall feasibility and bankability of a term loan proposal. It presents certain tools of analysis that lender that could be used to make a ...
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This chapter provides a basic framework for appraising the overall feasibility and bankability of a term loan proposal. It presents certain tools of analysis that lender that could be used to make a comprehensive assessment of a project by banker. It discusses key concepts such as net present value, internal rate of return, pay back method, and effective rate of return.Less
This chapter provides a basic framework for appraising the overall feasibility and bankability of a term loan proposal. It presents certain tools of analysis that lender that could be used to make a comprehensive assessment of a project by banker. It discusses key concepts such as net present value, internal rate of return, pay back method, and effective rate of return.
Thomas L. Brewer and Stephen Young
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198293156
- eISBN:
- 9780191684951
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198293156.003.0012
- Subject:
- Business and Management, International Business, Political Economy
This chapter presents an overview of the book as a whole and points the way forward into the future. The underlying philosophy of this book is based on the free market economic principles and ...
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This chapter presents an overview of the book as a whole and points the way forward into the future. The underlying philosophy of this book is based on the free market economic principles and economic efficiency tempered by considerations of equity and political feasibility. It is important to accept the reality of the policy-making process to assist an understanding of the past and project this into the future. Therefore, a politically focused perspective is discussed in this chapter.Less
This chapter presents an overview of the book as a whole and points the way forward into the future. The underlying philosophy of this book is based on the free market economic principles and economic efficiency tempered by considerations of equity and political feasibility. It is important to accept the reality of the policy-making process to assist an understanding of the past and project this into the future. Therefore, a politically focused perspective is discussed in this chapter.
Jamie Terence Kelly
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691155197
- eISBN:
- 9781400845545
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691155197.003.0005
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter assesses the relevance of framing effects for particular normative theories of democracy. It shows how the phenomenon of framing discussed in Chapter 1 ought to affect our thinking about ...
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This chapter assesses the relevance of framing effects for particular normative theories of democracy. It shows how the phenomenon of framing discussed in Chapter 1 ought to affect our thinking about democracy. Drawing on the characterization of the field of democratic theory from Chapter 2, it shows the relevance of framing effects for particular categories of normative theories of democracy. It uses the description of behavioral democratic theory from Chapter 3 to show that emphasizing moral reasons, feasibility constraints, and institutional design leads to important insights about the consequences of framing effects. The chapter's general aims are as follows. First, it shows that minimalist theories of democracy—those that place the fewest demands on the political judgment of citizens—can produce only weak moral reasons for endorsing democracy. Second, in order to be feasible, theories of democracy that incorporate more robust epistemic claims must endorse institutional mechanisms capable of counteracting the pernicious effects of framing.Less
This chapter assesses the relevance of framing effects for particular normative theories of democracy. It shows how the phenomenon of framing discussed in Chapter 1 ought to affect our thinking about democracy. Drawing on the characterization of the field of democratic theory from Chapter 2, it shows the relevance of framing effects for particular categories of normative theories of democracy. It uses the description of behavioral democratic theory from Chapter 3 to show that emphasizing moral reasons, feasibility constraints, and institutional design leads to important insights about the consequences of framing effects. The chapter's general aims are as follows. First, it shows that minimalist theories of democracy—those that place the fewest demands on the political judgment of citizens—can produce only weak moral reasons for endorsing democracy. Second, in order to be feasible, theories of democracy that incorporate more robust epistemic claims must endorse institutional mechanisms capable of counteracting the pernicious effects of framing.
Lyuba Konopasek, Marcy Rosenbaum, John Encandela, and Kathy Cole-kelly
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- November 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199238361
- eISBN:
- 9780191730290
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199238361.003.0059
- Subject:
- Palliative Care, Patient Care and End-of-Life Decision Making, Palliative Medicine Research
Across the continuum of medical education, the focus is shifting from the teacher and the curriculum to the learner and the evaluation of educational outcomes. In the field of communication skills ...
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Across the continuum of medical education, the focus is shifting from the teacher and the curriculum to the learner and the evaluation of educational outcomes. In the field of communication skills training, educators are now carefully examining the outcomes of their programmes. This chapter looks at assessment strategies used for communication skills training, describes how to design an effective evaluation methodology, and considers how outcomes have been measured in the oncology communication skills training literature. Evaluation of communications training programmes should follow standards and guidelines familiar in other types of research, meet standards of reliability and feasibility, and yield information that will be useful to the trainees and to programmes as a whole. A good test of usefulness is to ask whether learners will know how well they perform and what they need to do to improve as a result of assessment findings, and whether trainers will know how to improve training and curriculum as a result of the findings.Less
Across the continuum of medical education, the focus is shifting from the teacher and the curriculum to the learner and the evaluation of educational outcomes. In the field of communication skills training, educators are now carefully examining the outcomes of their programmes. This chapter looks at assessment strategies used for communication skills training, describes how to design an effective evaluation methodology, and considers how outcomes have been measured in the oncology communication skills training literature. Evaluation of communications training programmes should follow standards and guidelines familiar in other types of research, meet standards of reliability and feasibility, and yield information that will be useful to the trainees and to programmes as a whole. A good test of usefulness is to ask whether learners will know how well they perform and what they need to do to improve as a result of assessment findings, and whether trainers will know how to improve training and curriculum as a result of the findings.
