I don’t care if TechnoBro 3000 celebrates his birthday in the asteroid belt with his 10^30 gold plated robot friends, but I do care if he can buy the elections of Democratistan.
You care about whether he can buy the elections intrinsically or instrumentally (in particular, because of its impact on the welfare of the people in Democratistan)? The latter is still very much compatible with rejecting egalitarianism and prioritarianism. Buying elections may decrease total welfare.
I care instrumentally, because it may impact negative on the welfare of other people.
And yes, I agree that this is totally compatible with rejecting egalitarianism and prioritarianism, but it’s not so obvious.
I was trying to illustrate why I think many people endorse some sort of egalitarianism and have thoughts like “inequality bad”, which are easy to confuse with “inequality intrinsically bad”.
Hi Clara.
You care about whether he can buy the elections intrinsically or instrumentally (in particular, because of its impact on the welfare of the people in Democratistan)? The latter is still very much compatible with rejecting egalitarianism and prioritarianism. Buying elections may decrease total welfare.
Hi,
I care instrumentally, because it may impact negative on the welfare of other people.
And yes, I agree that this is totally compatible with rejecting egalitarianism and prioritarianism, but it’s not so obvious.
I was trying to illustrate why I think many people endorse some sort of egalitarianism and have thoughts like “inequality bad”, which are easy to confuse with “inequality intrinsically bad”.