On the Currency of Egalitarian Justice, and Other Essays in Political Philosophy

G. A. Cohen was one of the most gifted, influential, and progressive voices in contemporary political philosophy. At the time of his death in 2009, he had plans to bring together a number of his most significant papers. This is the first of three volumes to realize those plans. Drawing on three decades of work, it contains previously uncollected articles that have shaped many of the central debates in political philosophy, as well as papers published here for the first time. In these pieces, Cohen asks what egalitarians have most reason to equalize, he considers the relationship between freedom and property, and he reflects upon ideal theory and political practice.

Included here are classic essays such as "Equality of What?" and "Capitalism, Freedom, and the Proletariat," along with more recent contributions such as "Fairness and Legitimacy in Justice," "Freedom and Money," and the previously unpublished "How to Do Political Philosophy." On ample display throughout are the clarity, rigor, conviction, and wit for which Cohen was renowned. Together, these essays demonstrate how his work provides a powerful account of liberty and equality to the left of Ronald Dworkin, John Rawls, Amartya Sen, and Isaiah Berlin.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent exposition of Luck-Egalitarianism

By Miguel C. - April 21, 2013

This book contains, what is in my opinion, Cohen's most influential essay, "On the Currency of Egalitarian Justice". In it he explains what he means by egalitarianism and what its implications are. Also included are various other essays where he addresses the approaches to egalitarianism proposed by Amartya Sen, Ronald Dworkin and several others.

Cohen has an fantastic way of absorbing his opponents thesis, demonstrating that at some point in their analysis their own point is undermined or contradicted and then showing that his own (Cohen's) thesis does better justice to his opponents point of view while allowing for his own goals.

This book also works as a sort of foundation for a lot of points covered in (the less technical), "Why Not Socialism?". The jumps he makes in that last work may seem to be lacking in justification to those familiar with political philosophy, however, if you read this book you'll be able to fill in the gaps.