Policy Conversation on Limitarianism by Ingrid Robeyns

About the Event

The growing concentration of wealth is one of the most pressing issues of our time, raising urgent questions about equality, democracy, and sustainability. Philosopher Ingrid Robeyns makes a bold argument for addressing this issue through limitarianism—the idea that there should be upper limits to how much wealth is morally permissible for an individual to possess.

Robeyns outlines a number of compelling ethical and political reasons to tackle extreme wealth concentration. She critiques the moral underpinnings of extreme wealth, pointing out that much of it is “tainted” by unjust origins. She posits that the same policies enabling extreme wealth also exacerbate poverty and erode democracy through unchecked campaign funding and lobbying. Moreover, she argues that extreme wealth is incompatible with environmental sustainability, as the wealthiest individuals have a disproportionately large carbon footprint. These issues intersect with key policy areas, including welfare, taxation, inheritance, and monetary policy, sparking debate over the implications of policy interventions.

Should billionaires be outlawed? Join philosopher Ingrid Robeyns and economist Steven Durlauf for a thought-provoking conversation on the merits of limitarianism moderated by political scientist David Lay Williams. Engage with the ethical and practical complexities of the issue and join us in asking, “How much is enough”?

Schedule