Author's Department/Program
Political Science
Language
English (en)
Date of Award
Summer 9-1-2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Chair and Committee
Frank Lovett
Abstract
In this dissertation I examine the normative implications of different motivational strategies when applied to address the behavioral obstacles of various redistributive schemes, in particular, in the case of income redistribution policies and the provision of essential services. I intend to show that negative inducements can have some advantages with reference to other motivational instruments. For example, negative inducements are often the main motivational strategies behind conditional welfare policies. I argue against the view that conditional welfare policies are always hostile to the poor and the less fortunate. Moreover, I explain why redistributive schemes whose benefits are tied to specified patterns of behavior do not necessarily constitute a betrayal of progressive ideals. I defend the claim that there is nothing intrinsically wrong in setting behavioral conditions on aid, although care must be taken in doing so. This is against the view that unconditional welfare policies are less normatively troubling than conditional ones since the former impose fewer or no behavioral conditions on their recipients.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Cristian, "Motivational Strategies, Conditional Welfare and Distributive Justice" (2014). All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs). 1332.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/etd/1332
Comments
This work is not available online per the author’s request. For access information, please contact digital@wumail.wustl.edu or visit http://digital.wustl.edu/publish/etd-search.html.
Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K70G3H80