Question

Compare and contrast the utilitarian and Rawlsian viewpoints on social welfare.

Answer 1

Answer:

Utilitarian Social Welfare: Utilitarian Social Welfare Function is one of the Cardinal social welfare functions which measures social welfare as the total or sum of individual incomes. Income distribution is not taken into account here, which is baseless as here maximising the total income of the people in the society is given importance. Transfer of income whether from rich to poor or vice versa is not distinguished here. Overall welfare is calculated. If a government redistributes income from rich to poor then in such a situation the Utilitarian Social Welfare function will support this as the total utility of the society will increase as a whole. As it is related to the overall welfare of the society it can be measured by taking the average of individual incomes. Rawlsian Social Welfare: This welfare function is based on the philosophical thoughts of John Rawle. It measures the welfare of the society on the basis of the welfare of the least well-off individual member of the society. Here maximising the income of the poor is given due importance regardless of the income of the other groups. If a government redistributes the income from rich to the poor then in such a situation the Rawlsian Welfare function will also support this as the aim of this welfare function is to support the poor of the society. It does not value whether the income comes from the rich or any other class but the least well-off class of the society is given importance and their welfare is taken into consideration which in turn takes the overall welfare of the society.