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Léon Walras and Social Justice
Author(s) -
Cirillo Renato
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
american journal of economics and sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1536-7150
pISSN - 0002-9246
DOI - 10.1111/j.1536-7150.1984.tb02222.x
Subject(s) - power (physics) , property (philosophy) , monopoly , working class , economics , economic justice , distribution (mathematics) , social justice , law and economics , promotion (chess) , political economy , market economy , law , sociology , political science , neoclassical economics , mathematical analysis , philosophy , physics , mathematics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , politics
A bstract .Léon Walras strongly believed that without an equitable distribution of wealth there could be no social justice. Though he defended the right of private property , he considered that land was a special case and that it belonged to all the community. His social reform involved the nationalization of land , the abolition of taxation on wages , the curbing of monopoly power , and the promotion of a strong cooperative movement. He insisted that the only way the working class could regain their freedom was by becoming property owners. The influence of Henry George on Walras' thinking is obvious. They both shared the same humanitarian ideals, and both believed in a capitalist system working side by side with the social reforms they advocated.