The evolutionary limits of liberalism : democratic problems, market solutions and the ethics of preference satisfaction / Filipe Nobre Faria.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Faria, Filipe Nobre, author.

Series:

Palgrave studies in classical liberalism

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Liberalism.

Evolution.

Preferences (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

xv, 239 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan, [2019]

Summary:

"This book assesses the evolutionary sustainability of liberalism. The book's central claim is that liberal institutions ultimately weaken their social groups in the evolutionary process of inter-group competition. In this sense, institutions relying on the liberal satisfaction of preferences reveal maladaptive tendencies. Based on the model of multilevel selection, this work appraises the capacity of liberal democracy and free markets to satisfy preferences. In particular, the book re-evaluates public choice theory's classic postulate that free markets are a suitable alternative to the shortcomings of western liberal democracies regarding preference satisfaction. Yet, the book concludes that free markets are not a solution to the problems of liberal democracy because both market and democratic liberal institutions rest on the liberal satisfaction of preferences, an ethic which hurts group evolutionary fitness. This volume is of interest to political theorists, evolutionary ethicists, political economists and to general readers interested in the future of liberalism"--Back cover

Contents:

Introduction

From public choice to evolutionary theory

Public choice theory: liberal democracy's shortcomings and their institutional market-enhancing solutions

The evolutionary framework: multilevel selection, morality and preferences

Reassessing liberal democracy's shortcomings and their institutional market-enhancing solutions

The market: evolutionary limits and possibilities

Conclusion

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

3030314952

9783030314958

OCLC:

1113445663