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The Message of Redistribution By Jonathan Wolff A Catalyst Working Paper. Redistribution may be moving back up the political agenda. But there are many forms it can take. Even once we are agreed that a disadvantage ought to be rectified, questions remain. A hand-up or a hand-out? Welfare or work? Cash, vouchers, or services in kind? Society's chosen means of redistribution can send a powerful message to its recipients - of appreciation or pity, condescension or respect. Jonathan Wolff suggests that such dilemmas are rooted in fundamental intuitions about "the nature of the human good", and sets out a lucid and original philosophical framework for thinking these connections through. Drawing on the work of Martha Nussbaum, he argues that we cannot adequately address disadvantage without referring to some substantive ideal of human flourishing. But he stresses that this ideal must be a sensitive and pluralist one, carefully distinguishing personal deficiency from legitimate difference. Jonathan Wolff is Professor of Philosophy and Head of Department at University College London. He has written on such topics as libertarianism, political obligation, economic competition, exploitation and equality. His publications include An Introduction to Political Philosophy, Oxford University Press, 1996, and Why Read Marx Today?, Oxford University Press, 2002. "Four forms of redistribution" – read Jonathan Wolff's article based on this paper NEW! "Perfectionism or fairness?" A response from Stuart White
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