Social Justice in Contemporary Housing Applying Rawls’ Difference Principle

Philosophy is not usually seen as a guidance for modern housing policy, but in this new book, Dr Helen Taylor argues that there is something innovative, unusual, and worth discussing about the application of philosophy to housing. The philosophical framework used within this book is John Rawls’ conception of justice as fairness. The UK has gone through several shifts in housing policy over the past decade, most recently by introducing the controversial ‘Bedroom Tax’, in an effort to make more cuts to benefits and social welfare. Social Justice in Contemporary Housing: Applying Rawls’ Difference Principle suggests that by using ideas of agency we can understand the impact that social policy has on individuals and wider society. The work outlines the liberal principle of legitimacy and argues that Rawls’ concept of reasonableness can, and should, be used to justify the intervention of policy in individuals’ lives. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students of housing as well as philosophy and social policy, and alsothose working around the creation and implementation of social housing in the UK.

Chapter 1 – Housing Studies, Philosophy, and Policy The epistemological foundations of housing studies The relationship between philosophy and policy Applied philosophy Policy: homelessness and housing first Chapter 2 – The Role of the Reasonable in Public Justification Introduction The two moral powers The use of reasonableness as a regulatory mechanism A political conception of justice The liberal principle of legitimacy Applying reasonableness to social policy: The ‘Bedroom Tax’ Chapter 3 – A Rawlsian Account of Justice Justice as fairness The difference principle Applying the difference principle Justifying the use of the difference principle Reflective equilibrium Extending the concept of reflective equilibrium Chapter 4 – Primary Goods: An Appropriate Metric? Criticisms of primary goods Alternative metrics Revising primary goods Chapter 5 – Self-Command and Basic Justice Self-respect as a primary good Self-command and social freedom The revised metric Chapter 6 – Applying Philosophy to Housing The modified test Application to policy Conclusion Bibliography

Helen Taylor is a lecturer in housing studies at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. She is Communications Officer for the Housing Studies Association, as well as a board member for housing sector organisationsNewport City Homesand Cymorth Cymru, and sector publication Welsh Housing Quarterly.