Real Freedom for All : What (if Anything) Can Justify Capitalism?

In this paperback edition of a highly successful, ground-breaking study, Philippe Van Parijs sets out a new and compelling case for a just society. Calling for an unconditional basic income for all, Real Freedom for All will be required reading for anyone concerned about the welfare state and its role in modern liberal democracies.

Capitalist societies are full of unacceptable inequalities. Freedom is of paramount importance. These two convictions are widely shared across the world. Yet they often seem in complete contradiction with each other. Fighting inequality jeopardizes freedom; taking freedom seriously boosts inequality. What can be done? Can the circle be squared? Philippe Van Parijs offers a ground breaking solution to the dilemma. Assessing and rejecting the claims of both socialism and conventional capitalism, he presents a clear and compelling alternative vision of the just society: a capitalist society offering a substantial unconditional basic income to all its members. Moving beyond pure political theory, Van Parijs shows what his ideal of free society means in the real world by drawing out its controversial policy implications. Real Freedom for All will be essential reading for anyone concerned about the just society and the welfare state as we move into the twenty first century.