Distributive Lessons from Division of Labour

Author: Dietsch, Peter

Source: Journal of Moral Philosophy, Volume 5, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 96-117(22)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

In their justification of individual entitlements, libertarians appeal to the concept of self-ownership. This paper argues that taking into account the division of labour in society calls for a fundamental reassessment of the normative implications of self-ownership. How should the benefits from division of labour—in other words, how should the co-operative surplus—be distributed? On the assumption that the parties to the division of labour are interdependent, and that this interdependence is mutual and of the same degree, I argue for an equal distribution of the co-operative surplus. In form, my argument bears similarities to the left-libertarian position that calls for an equal distribution of natural resources. Despite its radically egalitarian implications, an equal distribution of the co-operative surplus remains a libertarian principle.

Keywords: CO-OPERATIVE SURPLUS; DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE; DIVISION OF LABOUR; EQUALITY; LEFT-LIBERTARIANISM; LIBERTARIANISM; SELF-OWNERSHIP

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/174552408X306744

Publication date: 2008-05-01