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.
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.
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.
Lea Ypi
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199593873
- eISBN:
- 9780191731426
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199593873.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Global egalitarian principles call for a political distribution of responsibilities which are in turn dependent on relevant political and institutional reforms. For this kind of reform to be both ...
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Global egalitarian principles call for a political distribution of responsibilities which are in turn dependent on relevant political and institutional reforms. For this kind of reform to be both politically feasible and motivationally sustainable, the chapter argues, existing associative relations are crucial. Cosmopolitanism becomes politically effective by taking advantage of political mechanisms that allow citizens to transform collective institutions by putting constraints on each other’s action. It may hope to be stably maintained by appealing to familiar learning processes, a particular sense of justice, and cultural resources that motivate existing moral agents. To clarify both points, the chapter invokes the concepts of popular sovereignty and civic education mentioned when exploring the tensions between cosmopolitanism and patriotism during the Enlightenment, and examines their application to the global justice debate.Less
Global egalitarian principles call for a political distribution of responsibilities which are in turn dependent on relevant political and institutional reforms. For this kind of reform to be both politically feasible and motivationally sustainable, the chapter argues, existing associative relations are crucial. Cosmopolitanism becomes politically effective by taking advantage of political mechanisms that allow citizens to transform collective institutions by putting constraints on each other’s action. It may hope to be stably maintained by appealing to familiar learning processes, a particular sense of justice, and cultural resources that motivate existing moral agents. To clarify both points, the chapter invokes the concepts of popular sovereignty and civic education mentioned when exploring the tensions between cosmopolitanism and patriotism during the Enlightenment, and examines their application to the global justice debate.
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.
Katie Steele
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- April 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780198796282
- eISBN:
- 9780191918933
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198796282.003.0016
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Proponents of International Paretianism (IP)—the principle that international agreements should not make any state worse off and should make some at least better off—argue that it is the only ...
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Proponents of International Paretianism (IP)—the principle that international agreements should not make any state worse off and should make some at least better off—argue that it is the only feasible approach to reducing the harms of climate change. They draw on some key assumptions regarding the meaning of ‘feasibility’ and the nature of the Pareto improvements associated with coordinated action on climate change. This chapter challenges these assumptions, in effect weakening the case for IP and allowing for broader thinking about what counts as a ‘feasible’ climate solution.Less
Proponents of International Paretianism (IP)—the principle that international agreements should not make any state worse off and should make some at least better off—argue that it is the only feasible approach to reducing the harms of climate change. They draw on some key assumptions regarding the meaning of ‘feasibility’ and the nature of the Pareto improvements associated with coordinated action on climate change. This chapter challenges these assumptions, in effect weakening the case for IP and allowing for broader thinking about what counts as a ‘feasible’ climate solution.
Malcolm Torry
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447311249
- eISBN:
- 9781447311287
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447311249.003.0013
- Subject:
- Sociology, Politics, Social Movements and Social Change
This chapter studies a variety of political ideologies: the New Right, Socialism, One Nation Conservatism, Liberalism, Social Democracy, and the Third Way. For each ideology it asks what arguments ...
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This chapter studies a variety of political ideologies: the New Right, Socialism, One Nation Conservatism, Liberalism, Social Democracy, and the Third Way. For each ideology it asks what arguments can be made for a Citizen's Income on the basis of the ideology, what arguments have in fact been made, what arguments might be made against a Citizen's Income on the basis of the ideology, and what arguments against a Citizen's Income have in fact been made. Green perspectives are also discussed in terms of a Citizen's Income's possible impacts on consumption of natural resources and on care for the planet. All of the ideologies studied are found to generate arguments for a Citizen's Income, and arguments against are found to be more generic, to be answerable, and to have little to do with any of the ideologies. The chapter then studies today's shorter term policy directions: the encouragement of enterprise in a free market context, the extension of choice, equality between women and men, active and equal citizenship, and ‘we’re in it together’. A Citizen's Income coheres with all of them. The chapter concludes that a Citizen's Income is politically feasible, particularly if implemented one demographic group at a time.Less
This chapter studies a variety of political ideologies: the New Right, Socialism, One Nation Conservatism, Liberalism, Social Democracy, and the Third Way. For each ideology it asks what arguments can be made for a Citizen's Income on the basis of the ideology, what arguments have in fact been made, what arguments might be made against a Citizen's Income on the basis of the ideology, and what arguments against a Citizen's Income have in fact been made. Green perspectives are also discussed in terms of a Citizen's Income's possible impacts on consumption of natural resources and on care for the planet. All of the ideologies studied are found to generate arguments for a Citizen's Income, and arguments against are found to be more generic, to be answerable, and to have little to do with any of the ideologies. The chapter then studies today's shorter term policy directions: the encouragement of enterprise in a free market context, the extension of choice, equality between women and men, active and equal citizenship, and ‘we’re in it together’. A Citizen's Income coheres with all of them. The chapter concludes that a Citizen's Income is politically feasible, particularly if implemented one demographic group at a time.
Stephen M. Gardiner and David A. Weisbach
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- June 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199996476
- eISBN:
- 9780190614775
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199996476.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
In this volume, Stephen M. Gardiner and David Weisbach present arguments for and against the relevance of ethics to global climate policy. Gardiner argues that climate change is fundamentally an ...
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In this volume, Stephen M. Gardiner and David Weisbach present arguments for and against the relevance of ethics to global climate policy. Gardiner argues that climate change is fundamentally an ethical issue, since it is an early instance of a distinctive challenge to ethical action (the perfect moral storm), and ethical concerns (such as with justice, rights, political legitimacy, community, and humanity’s relationship to nature) are at the heart of many of the decisions that need to be made. Consequently, climate policy that ignores ethics is at risk of “solving” the wrong problem, perhaps even to the extreme of endorsing forms of climate extortion. This is especially true of policy based on narrow forms of economic self-interest. By contrast, Weisbach argues that existing ethical theories are not well suited to addressing climate change. As applied to climate change, existing ethical theories suffer from internal logical problems and suggest infeasible strategies. Rather than following failed theories or waiting indefinitely for new and better ones, Weisbach argues that central motivation for climate policy is straightforward: it is in their common interest for people and nations to agree to policies that dramatically reduce emissions to prevent terrible harms.Less
In this volume, Stephen M. Gardiner and David Weisbach present arguments for and against the relevance of ethics to global climate policy. Gardiner argues that climate change is fundamentally an ethical issue, since it is an early instance of a distinctive challenge to ethical action (the perfect moral storm), and ethical concerns (such as with justice, rights, political legitimacy, community, and humanity’s relationship to nature) are at the heart of many of the decisions that need to be made. Consequently, climate policy that ignores ethics is at risk of “solving” the wrong problem, perhaps even to the extreme of endorsing forms of climate extortion. This is especially true of policy based on narrow forms of economic self-interest. By contrast, Weisbach argues that existing ethical theories are not well suited to addressing climate change. As applied to climate change, existing ethical theories suffer from internal logical problems and suggest infeasible strategies. Rather than following failed theories or waiting indefinitely for new and better ones, Weisbach argues that central motivation for climate policy is straightforward: it is in their common interest for people and nations to agree to policies that dramatically reduce emissions to prevent terrible harms.
Stephen M. Gardiner
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- June 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199996476
- eISBN:
- 9780190614775
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199996476.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
This chapter defends the idea that ethical norms, and especially those of justice, are relevant to the assessment of global climate policy even given the theoretical storm. It begins by describing ...
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This chapter defends the idea that ethical norms, and especially those of justice, are relevant to the assessment of global climate policy even given the theoretical storm. It begins by describing how approaches that aim to avoid climate justice, and especially those focusing on narrow economic self-interest, are at risk of endorsing climate extortion, a clear violation of ethical norms. The chapter goes on to argue that norms of global, corrective and intergenerational justice are not rendered irrelevant by the objections of economic realists. Instead, they would need to be incorporated in any reasonable and feasible climate policy that does not suffer from intelligibility blinders.Less
This chapter defends the idea that ethical norms, and especially those of justice, are relevant to the assessment of global climate policy even given the theoretical storm. It begins by describing how approaches that aim to avoid climate justice, and especially those focusing on narrow economic self-interest, are at risk of endorsing climate extortion, a clear violation of ethical norms. The chapter goes on to argue that norms of global, corrective and intergenerational justice are not rendered irrelevant by the objections of economic realists. Instead, they would need to be incorporated in any reasonable and feasible climate policy that does not suffer from intelligibility blinders.
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and Jean-Paul Faguet
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198737506
- eISBN:
- 9780191800894
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198737506.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental, Public and Welfare
Why would any president, having spent a career achieving the pinnacle of power, willingly hand it over to others he cannot control? This is the black hole at the heart of the decentralization debate ...
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Why would any president, having spent a career achieving the pinnacle of power, willingly hand it over to others he cannot control? This is the black hole at the heart of the decentralization debate that has never been satisfyingly answered. This chapter provides a response to this questionby considering the radical case of Bolivia, through an extended interview with the man who decentralized it. Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was a principal actor in some of the most important events in Bolivia’s—and indeed Latin America’s—modern history. A highly improbable politician and statesman, he rose to prominence as the minister who designed the stabilization plan that defeated hyperinflation in a period of near-national collapse. He was elected president in 1993 and again in 2002. His first term saw a burst of reforms that decentralized political power and resources to municipalities, capitalized the largest state enterprises, reformed education, created a new public pension system, reformed the executive branch of government, and reformed the constitution. His second term saw rising unrest that culminated in huge demonstrations, shocking violence, and Sánchez de Lozada’s resignation and exile to the USA, where he lives today. This chapter focuses on his formative experiences in government, how he came to believe in the necessity of reform, and how he carried his party and government in a startling push that decentralized Bolivia.Less
Why would any president, having spent a career achieving the pinnacle of power, willingly hand it over to others he cannot control? This is the black hole at the heart of the decentralization debate that has never been satisfyingly answered. This chapter provides a response to this questionby considering the radical case of Bolivia, through an extended interview with the man who decentralized it. Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was a principal actor in some of the most important events in Bolivia’s—and indeed Latin America’s—modern history. A highly improbable politician and statesman, he rose to prominence as the minister who designed the stabilization plan that defeated hyperinflation in a period of near-national collapse. He was elected president in 1993 and again in 2002. His first term saw a burst of reforms that decentralized political power and resources to municipalities, capitalized the largest state enterprises, reformed education, created a new public pension system, reformed the executive branch of government, and reformed the constitution. His second term saw rising unrest that culminated in huge demonstrations, shocking violence, and Sánchez de Lozada’s resignation and exile to the USA, where he lives today. This chapter focuses on his formative experiences in government, how he came to believe in the necessity of reform, and how he carried his party and government in a startling push that decentralized Bolivia.