In this book Daniel Shapiro argues that the dominant positions in contemporarypolitical philosophy egalitarianism positive rights theorycommunitarianism and ma... » 

In this book Daniel Shapiro argues that the dominant positions in contemporarypolitical philosophy egalitarianism positive rights theorycommunitarianism and many forms of liberalism should converge in a rejectionof central welfare state institutions. He examines how major welfareinstitutions such as governmentfinanced and administered retirementpensions national health insurance and programs for the needy actually work.Comparing them to compulsory private insurance and private charities Shapiroargues that the dominant perspectives in political philosophy mistakenly thinkthat their principles support the welfare state. Instead egalitarianspositive rights theorists communitarians and liberals have misunderstood theimplications of their own principles which in fact support more marketbasedor libertarian institutional conclusions than they may realize. Shapiros bookis unique in its combination of political philosophy with social science. Itsfocus is not limited to any particular country rather it examines welfarestates in affluent democracies and their market alternatives. «