Does Intergenerational Justice Require Rising Standards of Living?

26 Pages Posted: 12 Oct 2009

Date Written: October 12, 2009

Abstract

This essay considers whether it would be morally acceptable for a nation to use massive intergenerational borrowing to pursue a no-growth policy, under which the anticipated standard of living of members of future generations would be no higher than the standard of living of members of the present generation. The essay examines whether justification for such a policy can be found in either the political theory of John Rawls or in the application of utilitarian principles to intergenerational ethics. It concludes that under a Rawlsian analysis there is a strong argument that the current generation has no obligation to strive for higher standards of living for future generations, but that under utilitarian principles there is such an obligation.

Suggested Citation

Zelenak, Lawrence, Does Intergenerational Justice Require Rising Standards of Living? (October 12, 2009). George Washington Law Review, Vol. 77, pp. 1358-1382, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1487554 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1487554

Lawrence Zelenak (Contact Author)

Duke University School of Law ( email )

210 Science Drive
Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708
United States

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