Justice for the Past (Hardcover, New)

Among the most controversial issues in the United States is the question of whether public or private agencies should adopt preferential treatment programs or be required to pay reparations for slavery. Using a carefully reasoned philosophical approach, Stephen Kershnar argues that programs such as affirmative action and calls for slavery reparations are unjust for three reasons. First, the state has a duty to direct resources to those persons who, through their abilities, will benefit most from them. Second, he argues that, in the case of slavery, past injustice--where both the victims and perpetrators are long dead--cannot ground current claims to compensation. As terrible as slavery was, those who claim a right to compensation today owe their existence to it, he reasons, and since the events that bring about a person's existence are normally thought to be beneficial, past injustices do not warrant compensation. Finally, even if past injustices were allowed to serve as the basis of compensation in the present, other variables prevent a reasonable estimation of the amount owed.

General

Imprint:	State University of New York Press
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	SUNY series in American Constitutionalism
Release date:	July 2004
First published:	July 2004
Authors:	Stephen. Kershnar
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	170
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-0-7914-6071-9
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Constitution, government & the state Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political control & freedoms > Slavery & emancipation
LSN:	0-7914-6071-1
Barcode:	9780791460719

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