A Life of One's Own: Individual Rights and the Welfare State

In "A Life Of One's Own," philosophy professor David Kelley critiques the notion of a right to welfare on moral grounds. He explains how the concept of rights was altered over time to suit the interests of those who favored a centrally planned economy. His argument addresses the definition of rights and how efforts to shift their focus from preserving individual freedom and responsibility to forcing individuals to provide for others had an adverse impact on people's willingness to support voluntary philanthropy.Kelley's thesis is that, when the concept of rights is extended to the provision of social welfare, the inevitable result is empowering those who demand benefits from the state over those who provide goods and services in an economy. Over the decades since the New Deal was enacted, a spirit of entitlement arose from the legal framework of the Great Society and permeates much of our contemporary discourse on politics. It flies in the face of the Founders' legal conception of the state - which is based on the protection of rights to life, liberty, and property.The author argues that the transformation of the concept of rights did not occur spontaneously. Instead, it was marketed by a group of historians, intellectuals, and political activists who understood that it is impossible to alter political or legal institutions without changing people's beliefs about morality. Because they understood this, they were able to wage a successful war against the traditional concept of rights.During the Great Depression, the leaders of the progressive movement were able to sell the public on their ideas by comparing industrial entrepreneurs to the political tyrants who led the... brigade. They claimed the financial power wielded by businessmen was indistinguishable from political power backed by force. Thus, it was up to the state to counteract the "coercive" power of the industrialists. This led to unprecedented growth in the state's ability to control individuals' economic freedoms through the use of taxes and regulations.In such a system, it is left up to government officials to decide which rights to protect and how to protect them. When individuals are only given rights to whichever goods and services the state chooses to allocate them, the fundamental concept of what rights consist of is completely transformed. The Founders' conception - that rights exist to protect individuals from coercion by their peers - is changed into a notion of privilege. There is a fundamental difference between the two. As Kelley observes: "A right is not a privilege that depends on the will of others but a claim that they are obliged to respect."According to Kelley, the function of rights is to enable people to conduct their own lives without becoming dependent upon one another. Although people may have different goals, the rules that underlie their system of rights must be assembled to enable all of them to accomplish their goals without resorting to conflict. This is why

This book stands with Charles Murray's classic LOSING GROUND as offering the best analysis of the American welfare state. The data Kelley uses to help make his case against government-directed welfare assistance are relevant, clear, and convincing. And his argument is tight, compelling, and beautifully written.Kelley is surely correct when he says that "The concept of welfare rights does not represent a historic advance in moral development, as its advocates often assert. It represents a reversion to a primitive moral code." For a solid explanation of the truth of this insight, and for other key insights into the nature of the welfare state, read this marvelous book.

In a short, but very concise work, Dr. Kelley easily lays to rest the multiple moral and ethical claims to the welfare state. By going over the history of the idea, from the 19th century English Poor Laws, up through FDR and the Great Society of Lyndon Johnson, he shows how welfare evolved into the "entitlement" it is today. He ilustrates lucidly how the idea of welfare transformed from philanthropic choice, and act of kindness, into its present state as a "right" endowed by the government to the people through their "coercive" actions. He argues that the welfare state was caused by a change of philosophy, from the individualist, classical liberal philosophy to the "new liberal" let's-take-care-of-everyone philosophy. He goes on to say that these welfare "rights" are not rights, but acts of coercion by the government which force people to look out for others in the name of "compassion" and "benevolence." This book is an excellent book for anyone, wether you are against or for the welfare state. He opens eyes and challenges the common presumptions of our modern political, moral and ethical beliefs

In this book David Kelley lays out with remarkable clarity the history and philosophical underpinnings of the welfare state. Kelley's style, besides being extremely lucid, is dispassionate and fair. He brings to the question considerable analytical abilities and puts them to use, thereby showing the notion of "positive rights" to rest on a conceptual muddle. He makes a strong and convinving case for the morality of individualism, and a social ethic of individual responsibility and voluntary association and aid. Opponents of welfare will find themselves edified. Defenders of welfare will find themselves challenged. Highly recommended.

Philosopher David Kelley has written a masterful--and incredibly convincing--book. Kelley examines the modern welfare state going back as far as the first English Poor Laws in the 1600s to FDR, to LBJ, and examines the impact that government wealth redistribution schemes have had. He then meticulously examines the reasoning behind the welfare state, presenting each argument that has been offered in its support in a fair, objective manner and shows, shockingly, how all of the arguments are morally bankrupt. He concludes with a very convincing case that human rights, dignity and benevolence can only prosper in a society free from a paternalistic welfare state. Dr. Kelley is a brave intellectual--one who not only is incredibly sharp, but who is also not afraid to tell the truth. Even if you find yourself predisposed to support the ideas behind the welfare state (and Kelley may change your mind,) this book is required reading. The arguments presented in _A Life of One's Own_ must be dealt with by anyone who supports the modern welfare state. Considering the importance of this issue and the brilliance of the writing, the book is a steal at $8.00!