The Moral Limits of Market by Michael Sandel - 1063 Words

What Money Can’t Buy; The Moral Limits of Market by Michael Sandel argues the relationship between markets and our morality. His central concern is the influence of money on the sphere of life traditionally governed by nonmarket norms such as rights as a citizen, care for others, and civic duties. He demonstrated that market is responsible for destroying our sense of morality by placing monetary value to it. This paper will argue the relationship between market and morality through demonstrating the type of goods corrupted by money, the flaws in the market system that causes such problems, and the political solution for this problem as suggested by Michael Sandel respectively. Sandel argues, â€Å"almost everything can be bought and sold.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Sandel account these examples as economic inequality where â€Å"in a society where everything is for sale, life is harder for modest means.† The market is not equal because society do not have equal amount of wealth. Economists would dismiss such idea, saying the free market revolve around demand and supply, and willingness to buy or sell goods and services. However, Sandel thinks those who willing to pay extra for goods and services always won. Based on above example, those who have the money will certainly be better off whereas those who cannot afford have no choice, but to be content. Thus, this creates an unequal distribution of wealth in the society. Sandel further argues, â€Å"Commercialism erodes commonality.† He points to the division of society through acquisition of certain goods. For example, the skyboxes at baseball stadiums are affordable only to the wealthy, which separate themselves with the rest of the society. He argues that because the wealthy can buy social advantages such as better education, healthcare, and clothing, they create an exclusive grouping that further divide the society. In this case, money changes the perception of goods. Given the more expensive goods are considered of better quality, increasing the price of a certain good will increase its value. This is adamant in our current time where the same product, such as ice cream, is more expensive in the wealthier neighborhood compared to poorer neighborhood. Thus, heShow MoreRelatedJustice Is The Quality Of Being Just967 Words   |  4 Pagesinfluences and have a realistic discussion about what sort of society we really want to live in. My beli efs and ideas about what Justice means addressed in this reflection relate to what I gathered from Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do by Michael J. Sandel, A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell and Who Rules America? The Triumph of the Corporate Rich by William Domhoff. Figure 1. This picture above speaks volumes. It shows how people rely on justice to be just when it really it does not careRead MoreJohn Rawls and Equality1052 Words   |  5 Pagesdisadvantages. 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