Deck 3: Ethics for Policy Analysts

Question 1

Under the leaky bucket principle a policy should be adopted

A)if the benefits received are greater than the 'leaks'
B)only if there are no leaks for the given policy
C)if the least well off person is made better off
D)if the amount of leak is acceptable under a given ethical theory.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

If society determines there should be a minimum utility of 5 utils and person 1 initially has 100 utils and person 2 initially has 0 utils, given the choices below which is the optimal redistribution under Nozick's modified model?

A)person 1: 5 utils; person 2: 5 utils
B)person 1: 90 utils; person 2: 5 utils
C)person 1: 100 utils; person 2: 0 utils
D)person 1: 50 utils; person 2: 50 utils

Answer 2

B

Question 3

With tow individual operating under a Rawlsian social welfare function, which combination of util amounts is preferred?

A)person 1: 4 utils; person 2: 4 utils
B)person 1: 9 utils; person 2: 5 utils
C)person 1: 14 utils; person 2: 4 utils
D)person 1: 15 utils; person 2: 3 utils

Answer 3

B

Question 4

According to Sen and Williams the principles of utilitarianism are

A)welfarism, sum-ranking, and consequentialism
B)the rule of law, liberty, and equity
C)freedom and equality
D)minimal government and the greatest possible freedom

Question 5

Maximizing the minimum refers to

A)reducing the well-being of all parties until they are the same as the least well-off
B)maximizing the well-being of society as a whole without regard to how it affects specific individuals
C)emphasizing efficiency over equity
D)increasing the well-being of the least well-off person as much as is possible.

Question 6

A neutral transfer

A)is any transfer of income by a third party
B)is any transfer of income that positively impacts the utility of at least 1 party
C)is any transfer of income that results in both parties maintaining at least a minimum income
D)is any costless transfer of income that doesn't alter either party's behavior

Question 7

Redistribution under utilitarian theory should occur

A)as long as one party benefits
B)as long as the marginal utility of the income gained is greater than the marginal utility of the income lost
C)as long as total utility stays the same
D)as long as both parties agree to it
Answers

Question 8

The "Veil of Ignorance" refers to the following conditions

A)all individuals are relatively ignorant of those different from themselves.
B)Individuals are ignorant of all dimensions their place in society.
C)individuals are ignorant of how much income they will make in the future
D)society should pursue equality in all things unless the least well-off benefits from the inequality

Question 9

The original position according to Rawls is

A)the situation of mankind before the advent of society
B)the equality we all have at birth, which then disappears as some individuals become better through merit
C)a situation where all parties have equal rights and equal access to the decision making process
D)the fetal position

Question 10

Robert Nozick's theory emphasized

A)the minimalist state
B)maximizing the minimum
C)the greatest good for the greatest number
D)the difference principle

Question 11

Utilitarianism refers to

A)the idea that the goal of society should be the greatest good for the greatest number
B)the idea that people with the greatest utility to society as a whole should benefit the most from policies
C)the study of electricity, water and sewage systems
D)both a and b