The utilitarian case for redistributing income is based on the assumption of
A)collective consensus.
B)a notion of fairness engendered by equality.
C)diminishing marginal utility.
D)rising marginal utility.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The utilitarian case for redistributing income is based on the principle of diminishing marginal utility, which suggests that the benefit derived from an additional dollar of income diminishes as income increases. Therefore, taking income from the rich and giving it to the poor will increase overall happiness in society because the poor will experience a greater increase in utility from the money than the rich will suffer a decrease in utility. Collective consensus (A) and fairness through equality (B) are not the basis for the utilitarian case for income redistribution. Rising marginal utility (D) would suggest that income should be redistributed towards the rich, which is the opposite of the utilitarian case.

The Utilitarian Case for Redistributing Income Is Based on the Assumption