The Coherence of Left-Libertarianism: A New Approach to Reconciling Libertarianism and Socialism

Author

Jesse E. Spafford, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

6-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Philosophy

Advisor

Carol Gould

Committee Members

Charles Mills

Miranda Fricker

Subject Categories

Ethics and Political Philosophy

Keywords

libertarianism, socialism, left-libertarianism, consent, property rights, luck egalitarianism

Abstract

The past twenty-five years have witnessed the emergence and development of what has become known as left-libertarianism—a philosophical position that seeks to show that certain moral principles traditionally associated with libertarianism are compatible with egalitarian views about the distribution of resources. However, this position has also come under fire from various critics who argue that the position lacks coherence. For example, Barbara Fried argues that, even if left-libertarians show that one can simultaneously hold some combination of ethical principles, it doesn’t follow that one should. This dissertation argues that there is a suitably coherent version of left-libertarianism wherein egalitarian conclusions are shown to actually follow from core libertarian premises.

Recommended Citation

Spafford, Jesse E., "The Coherence of Left-Libertarianism: A New Approach to Reconciling Libertarianism and Socialism" (2020). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3749