Exam 7: Mark Reiff and John Gaski, “Minimum Wage”

In his essay, Mark Reiff says that, In a just society, the solution to the problem of under and unemployment is not employing people for less than a just wage, it is growing the economy to a sufficient extent by moral means, whatever these may be, so that all those who are willing and able to work for a just wage can find the employment they desire. In your essay, consider and explain: what understanding about the importance of work must Reiff have in order to make a claim like this one? Then, think about one challenge that could arise from thinking about work this way, especially in the context of the minimum wage debate. In other words, what is a problem that we might face if we took Reiff's beliefs about work, and used them to help us decide what to do about minimum wage? You may think that this problem has a solution, but use your essay to explore this problem.

In his essay, Reiff suggests that a workers' wages should cover the cost of what?

In his reply to Mark Reiff's Rawlsian argument, John Gaski asserts: Of course all humans are not perfectly equal in talent, information, or effort. A liberal government endeavors to enact equality before the law, but countless sources of natural inequality are present in any society. As a result, this Rawls/Reiff hypothetical does not apply to the real world. What do you make of this claim? Is it true that "this Rawls/Reiff hypothetical" doesn't apply to the real world? How important is actual equality to the point Reiff is making? And more generally, what should we do when there's tension between our ideals and empirical realities?

In his reply, Reiff takes issue with Gaski's agreement with an idea in economics. What is it?

In his essay, Gaski points to a group that overwhelmingly agrees that minimum wage causes unemployment in order to defend his position. What group is it?

In his essay, Reiff grounds his argument on the requirement(s) of _____:

Both Reiff and Gaski are proponents of what?

In his essay, Reiff makes three main arguments. Which of the following is NOT one of his arguments?

In his essay, Gaski affirms that an enforced minimum wage is essentially what?

In his reply, Gaski affirms: "The actual level of economic distress in America is much higher than advertised."

Which author affirms, with John Rawls, that "people will often agree to terms that are in fact unjust" in his essay?

In his essay, Gaski suggests a number of reasons why well-educated people might support minimum wage policies. Which of the following is NOT one of those reasons?

In his essay, John Gaski expresses a deep cynicism about certain groups of people who support minimum wage. In your essay, describe one of Gaski's concerns. Then, consider: If we are worried that our opponents have evil aims, how important should this be in shaping our ethical response? Be sure to link your answer up with the wider minimum wage debate.