A Life of One's Own: Individual Rights and the Welfare State [Hardcover]

David Kelley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 1998

The welfare state rests on the assumption that people have rights to food, shelter, health care, retirement income, and other goods provided by the government. David Kelley examines the historical origins of that assumption, and the rationale used to support it today.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 165 pages
• Publisher: Cato Institute (September 18, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882577701
• ISBN-13: 978-1882577705
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,860,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful monograph, December 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Life of One's Own: Individual Rights and the Welfare State (Paperback)

Philosopher David Kelley has written a masterful--and incredibly convincing--book. Kelley examines the modern welfare state going back as far as the first English Poor Laws in the 1600s to FDR, to LBJ, and examines the impact that government wealth redistribution schemes have had. He then meticulously examines the reasoning behind the welfare state, presenting each argument that has been offered in its support in a fair, objective manner and shows, shockingly, how all of the arguments are morally bankrupt. He concludes with a very convincing case that human rights, dignity and benevolence can only prosper in a society free from a paternalistic welfare state. Dr. Kelley is a brave intellectual--one who not only is incredibly sharp, but who is also not afraid to tell the truth.

Even if you find yourself predisposed to support the ideas behind the welfare state (and Kelley may change your mind,) this book is required reading. The arguments presented in _A Life of One's Own_ must be dealt with by anyone who supports the modern welfare state. Considering the importance of this issue and the brilliance of the writing, the book is a steal at $8.00!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant refute of the welfare state, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Life of One's Own: Individual Rights and the Welfare State (Paperback)

In a short, but very concise work, Dr. Kelley easily lays to rest the multiple moral and ethical claims to the welfare state. By going over the history of the idea, from the 19th century English Poor Laws, up through FDR and the Great Society of Lyndon Johnson, he shows how welfare evolved into the "entitlement" it is today. He ilustrates lucidly how the idea of welfare transformed from philanthropic choice, and act of kindness, into its present state as a "right" endowed by the government to the people through their "coercive" actions. He argues that the welfare state was caused by a change of philosophy, from the individualist, classical liberal philosophy to the "new liberal" let's-take-care-of-everyone philosophy. He goes on to say that these welfare "rights" are not rights, but acts of coercion by the government which force people to look out for others in the name of "compassion" and "benevolence." This book is an excellent book for anyone, wether you are against or for the welfare state. He opens eyes and challenges the common presumptions of our modern political, moral and ethical beliefs

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shows Why the Welfare State is Without a Rational Basis, March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Life of One's Own: Individual Rights and the Welfare State (Paperback)

As a former liberal, I found Kelley's arguments especially compelling. When I departed liberalism, I recognized that there was something profoundly wrong with the welfare state - that it was somehow unnatural and led to results that were contrary to the expectation of "informed" liberal policy makers. With the arguments presented in this book, I now have a rational basis for understanding why many of the liberal social experiments, especially welfare, have failed. The book is well structured, with the introduction providing a historical framework for an understanding of our modern welfare state. Kelley then proceeds to show how and why arguments for that welfare state are without any rational foundation - specifically (1) the argument from economic freedom; (2) the argument from benevolence; and (3) the argument from community. By invalidating each of these arguments in turn, Kelley demonstrates that the current welfare state is not only without a rational basis - but that it actually is contrary to the liberal individualism upon which this nation was founded. I definitely recommend the book to those who wish to shore up their opposition to the welfare state and America's creep towards socialism. I also recommend the book to those who defend liberal social policies so that they will be confronted with Kelley's powerful arguments and by necessity either defend or abandon the liberal welfare state.