Project Abstract

Robert Nozick's political philosophy, as outlined in his influential work "Anarchy, State, and Utopia," has been both praised and criticized by scholars and thinkers in the field of political theory. This research project aims to provide a comprehensive critique of Nozick's philosophy by examining key aspects of his arguments and exploring the implications of his libertarian ideas. One of the central tenets of Nozick's philosophy is his defense of the minimal state, which he argues should only exist to protect individuals' rights. This position stands in contrast to more extensive theories of government intervention and social welfare. Critics have pointed out that Nozick's minimal state may not adequately address issues of social justice and equality, leaving vulnerable members of society without sufficient support. Furthermore, Nozick's concept of the "invisible hand" of the free market as a mechanism for achieving social justice has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that unregulated capitalism can lead to exploitation and inequality, undermining the very principles of justice that Nozick seeks to uphold. Additionally, Nozick's emphasis on individual rights and property rights has been criticized for prioritizing the interests of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of the marginalized and disadvantaged. Another aspect of Nozick's philosophy that has been scrutinized is his theory of entitlement, which asserts that individuals have a right to property acquired through legitimate means. Critics argue that this theory fails to account for historical injustices and inequalities that have shaped current distributions of wealth and resources. By focusing solely on just acquisition and transfer, Nozick's theory may perpetuate existing disparities and hinder efforts to rectify past wrongs. Moreover, Nozick's framework of justice as entitlement has been challenged for its limited scope and failure to address broader societal concerns. Critics argue that justice should encompass not only individual rights and property claims but also considerations of social welfare, collective responsibility, and the common good. By neglecting these aspects of justice, Nozick's philosophy may overlook the systemic injustices and structural inequalities that pervade society. In conclusion, this research project offers a critical examination of Robert Nozick's political philosophy, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in addressing issues of justice, equality, and the role of the state. By engaging with key critiques of Nozick's arguments, this study aims to contribute to ongoing debates in political theory and provide insights into alternative approaches to creating a more just and equitable society.

Project Overview

1.1   INTRODUCTION

Robert Nozick (1938-2002) was American philosopher, best known for his rigorous defense of libertarianism in his first major work, Anarchy, State, and Utopia (1974). During his high school and college years, Nozick was a member of the student new left and an enthusiastic socialist. At Columbia, he helped to found a campus branch of the league for industrial democracy, a precursor of the students for a democratic society. While in graduate school he read works by libertarian thinkers such as F. A. Hayak and Ludwig Von Mises, and his political views began to change. His conversion to libertarianism culminated in 1974 with the publication of Anarchy, State, and Utopia, a closely argued and highly original defense of the libertarian “minimal state” and a critique of the social-democratic liberalism of John Rowls.

The  main body of this work falls into four parts; firstly the underpinning (if any) and the character and robustness of the moral rights that constitute the basic normative framework for most of Anarchy, State and Utopia. Secondly, the character and degree of success of Nozick’s defense of the minimal state against the charge by the individualist anarchist that “the state itself is intrinsically immoral”. Thirdly, Nozick’s articulation and defense of his historical entitlement doctrine of justice in holdings and his associated critique of end-state and patterned doctrines of distributive justice, especially John Rawls’ difference principle (as defended in a theory of justice) and fourthly Nozick’s argument that utopian aspirations provide a complementary route to the vindication of the minimal state.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nozick’s natural rights – particularly the right of self-ownership and the consequent right to the fruit’s of one’s labour present an obvious problems if we desire any state at all, no matter how minimal.