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POLITICAL IDEALS AND THE FEASIBILITY FRONTIER

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2015

David Wiens
David Wiens*
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego, Department of Political Science, 9500 Gilman Dr., 323 SSB #0521, La Jolla, CA, 92092-0521, USA. Email: [email protected]. URL: www.dwiens.com.
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Abstract:

I present an analysis of feasibility that generalizes the economic concept of a production possibility frontier and develop a model of the feasibility frontier using the familiar possible worlds technology. I then use the model to show that we cannot reasonably expect that adopting political ideals as long-term reform objectives will guide us toward the realization of morally optimal feasible states of affairs. I conclude by proposing that political philosophers turn their attention to the analysis of actual social failures rather than political ideals.

Keywords

feasibilitypolitical idealspolitical possibilityideal and nonideal theory
Type
Articles
Information
Economics & Philosophy , Volume 31 , Issue 3 , November 2015 , pp. 447 - 477
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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