Date of Award

1-1-2017

Language

English

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School/Department

Department of Philosophy

Content Description

1 online resource (ii, 40 pages)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Jon Mandle

Committee Members

Jon Mandle, Kristen Hessler

Keywords

Efficiency, Growth, Laissez-faire, Utility, Free enterprise, Utility theory, Efficient market theory

Subject Categories

Philosophy

Abstract

This paper discusses and analyzes the claim that laissez-faire policies achieve greater efficiency and growth, which in turn provides overall social utility. This paper outlines and defines the terms used in the defense of laissez-faire policies and shows that this defense is suspect on all grounds. That is to say these policies do not provide greater efficiency, growth, or overall social utility. This paper argues against the questionable claim that a laissez-faire economy attains greater efficiency and growth. Further, even assuming that it did succeed in these two areas, it does not necessarily imply that greater social utility will follow as an outcome.

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