Here’s a thought experiment that just occurred to me, which I’d like to run, dear EconLog readers. I think that the intuitive response one can have to this thought experiment can do a lot to clarify how one thinks about justice.
Let’s say you live in a country where there is a military structure. Furthermore, let’s assume that the military structure is wrong. (If you agree with the draft and find yourself objecting to the thought test on those grounds, simply replace the draft with another policy that you would consider unfair.) However, not all citizens qualify for the draft. Only half of the population can be written. Let’s just say that the basis of who is eligible is completely arbitrary – those born on even numbered days are eligible for registration, while those born on odd numbered days are exempt from registration.
Let’s just say that ending the draft is out of the Overton window – there is no realistic chance that this policy will be withdrawn. However, he is in the unique position of being able to change the draft through some kind of executive order. You can’t rule it out, but you can make those born on odd days eligible for the draft. Assume that nothing else will change if you do so – so for example, if you extend the draft, assume that twice as many citizens will be drafted, so no one with a numbered birthday sees their chances of being drafted reduced as a result.
So here’s the question – what should you do?
Should this framework be extended, on the grounds that those born even a few days old are treated unfairly by being governed by an unfair policy that other citizens do not face? That is, should you pull the policy lever that increases the number of people experiencing injustice, in order to equalize the distribution of injustice?
Or should you refuse to expand the framework, on the grounds that the policy is unjust and if the injustice cannot be removed, as few people as possible should be subject to it? That is, should you allow the policy to apply unequally to citizens, in order to reduce the number of people who are treated unfairly?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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