Question

Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens?

(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.

(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.

(c) Some people are naturally lazy and we should be kind to them.

(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.

Answer 1

(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy as an act of charity is an unjustified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens. Services to the poor and needy are their rights and the government should not give these to them as a charity.

(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living to ensure equality of opportunity is a justified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens. This is because it is the responsibility of the government to provide opportunities for citizens.

(c) Being kind to people who are lazy is not rational thinking as laziness is not a physical handicap. Therefore, it is an unjustified basis for state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.

(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all as a recognition of our shared humanity and human rights is a justified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.