Is the Welfare State Justified?

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Challenging contemporary political philosophy, Shapiro contends that prevailing views on egalitarianism, positive rights, communitarianism, and liberalism should lead to a rejection of central welfare state institutions. He analyzes the functioning of welfare programs like pensions and health insurance, contrasting them with private insurance and charities. His argument reveals a misunderstanding among political theorists regarding their principles, suggesting they inadvertently support market-based solutions. The book uniquely blends political philosophy with social science, exploring welfare states across affluent democracies.