Question

There are three equally-sized distinct subpopulations in Utopolis: unemployed, workers, and retirees. There are four possible social states which result in different utility levels for the three subpopulations:
Social State Unemployed Workers Retirees
A 12 50 10
B 20 20 20
C 15 15 15
D 1 40 1

a. Which social states might plausibly be chosen by the government of Utopolis? And Why?
b. There is a government election in Utopolis with two candidates: a Rawlsian and a Utilitarian candidate. Each candidate promises to enact one of the social states above. If the majority of citizens elect the candidate, which social state will be enacted?

Answer 1

Answer:

Utopolis

a. Social states chosen by the government of Utopolis are:

Social State  Unemployed  Workers  Retirees

A                              12             50              10

D                               1              40                1

The reason for choosing these social states is that the social states of A and D reduce the headache felt by the government in managing unemployment and paying pensions to retirees, unlike the social states of B and C, which have equal numbers of the distinct subpopulations.

b. The enacted social state will be D.  This is the social state preferred by the majority of citizens.  There is a utopian economic condition achieved with social state D unlike with other social states.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Utility levels in Utopolis:

Social State  Unemployed  Workers  Retirees

A                              12             50              10

B                             20             20             20

C                             15              15              15

D                               1             40                1