Ferguson, Benjamin
(2013)
The paradox of exploitation: a new solution.
PhD thesis, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Abstract
In this thesis I present a rights-based theory of exploitation. I argue that successful conceptions of exploitation should begin with the ordinary language claim that exploitation involves
`taking unfair advantage'. Consequently, they must combine an account of what it means
to take advantage of another with an account of when transactions are unfair. Existing
conceptions of exploitation fail to provide adequate accounts of both aspects of exploitation.
Hillel Steiner and John Roemer provide convincing accounts of the unfairness involved in
exploitation, but because they fail to provide restrictive `advantage taking' conditions, their
theories of exploitation include cases that we would not ordinarily describe as exploitations.
Ruth Sample and Robert Goodin provide accounts that place a stronger emphasis on the
attitudes involved in exploitation and the processes that bring it about. Unfortunately, these
theories do not properly incorporate the unfairness aspect of exploitation. Consequently, they
are either self-frustrating or incomplete.
I provide a conception of exploitation that combines both aspects. I claim that...
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