Rated Animal Farm 6/10
book
Rated Free Market Fairness 8/10
This book tries to find common ground between the so called <i>classical liberal</i> and <i>high liberal</i> theories of political philosophy. But instead of seeking a compromise between the positions espoused by Hayek, Friedman and other defenders of the thick view of economic liberties characteristic of classical liberalism and the Big Government ideals of social justice seen in Rawls, Dworkin and the high liberal tradition, Tomasi chooses to delimitate the common ground and the differences between the branches of liberal thought, in a way that dismisses some of the straw-men both branches built about themselves and their "opponents". <br/>After that, he proposes a research program that he calls <i>market democracy</i>, combining the typically high liberal worries about social justice and self-government with the classical liberal emphases on thick economic liberties and spontaneous order. In fact, Tomasi argues, the defense of a thick set of economic liberties is essential to full self-ownership. At the same time, the market democratic program provides a solid, non-consequential, basis for the defense of such liberties, usually seen as secondary by the high liberal tradition, and brings a view of social justice that has roots in classical liberalism.<br/>The title of the book comes from Tomasi's favored interpretation of the market democratic program, based on Rawls's Justice as Fairness: by relying on market mechanisms and widening the set of economic liberties that are to be considered as fundamental, the author shows that such a hybrid fares no worse than either liberal socialism or property-owning democracy on the task of fulfilling the conditions of justice as fairness. <br/>Given its Rawlsian influences, it's not surprising that <i>Free Market Fairness</i> focuses on ideal theory and presents a case for that emphasis, not without noting the problems with such abstract, high-level models.<br/>As expected of such an open proposal, there are many aspects of both market democracies and Free Market Fairness that still warrant further exposition, but the book succeeds in presenting a research program that brings interesting questions.
Edited 50d ago
Rated Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 8 7/10
Edited 50d ago
Rated The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World 10/10
Great reflections about the nature of evil, and one of the prime examples of how good Science Fiction isn't about technological artifacts, but about humanity. The treatment given by Ellison to his female characters is questionable at best, and some of the stories are quite dull. But, at its best, this book sets a high bar for short stories in the genre. A very interesting read, but not one without caveats.
Rated The Sandman, Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones 8/10
Rated The Sandman, Vol. 4: Season of Mists 4/10
Many Sandman fans seem to think this is the series' best story arc. In fact, lots of important events in the story either begin here or are related to things presented in this volume. But, for me, it seems to be more of a solid foundation for the great stories that come later than a great arc by itself.
Rated Why Not Socialism? 10/10
Starting from a thought experiment, Cohen makes a tentative definition of the core of Socialism as the principles of radical equality of opportunities -- not only neutralizing social sources of inequality, but also natural ones -- and community. He then tries to make a case for the desirability of applying such ideals to society as a whole, before addressing some of the obstacles that might affect such an implementation. After this exploration, the author concludes that, even if the feasibility of socialism isn't fully established, it is still a desirable ideal, and that even proposals that fail his test of respecting both principles -- as he claims that is the case of Market Socialist models --, they can still be worthwhile endeavors if they do a better job of satisfying the socialist ideals of distributive justice.<br/><br/>Given the book's title, some omissions in Cohen's argument somewhat weaken it. Even if we accept what he calls "socialist equality of opportunity" and a sense of community with every person we interact it as valid principles, it doesn't follow that one should be coerced to follow them. Such coercion is a strong argument against Socialism that isn't fully addressed by the book; however, the author concedes that the instrumental view of markets proposed by Market Socialist authors (and that finds its origins in Smith and Mandeville) offers a way of "recruit[ing] low-grade motives to...desirable ends", even if some of the other consequences of markets go against the core of his thesis.<br/><br/>Cohen's criticism of greed and fear as immediate motives on the market is valid, but it downplays the role that other factors play in economic decisions even in a market economy. Despite the role attributed to <i>Homo economicus</i> in a significant part of economic theory, many authors and currents have pointed out the role played by subjective, non-utility-maximizing factors in the choices of market actors. In fact, left-libertarian theories usually share Cohen's concerns, but defend that "freed markets" are a better way to reach the goal of a egalitarian, communal society. If so, that presents another case against what would be unnecessary coercion required by Socialism.<br/><br/>Despite those shortcomings and the book's short length, "Why Not Socialism?" combines interesting insights about morality and the market processes with a honest and emotionally powerful account of the Socialist ideal and why it has such a widespread appeal.