Award Date

1-1-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Ethics and Policy Studies

First Committee Member

Alan Zundel

Number of Pages

98

Abstract

This thesis explores the ethical foundations of public policies which support workplace justice, using the Davis-Bacon Act as the principle example. The thesis argues that Davis-Bacon is not best considered as "pro-union" legislation, nor is cost-benefit analysis the best approach to understanding its importance. Instead, primary examination of the Davis-Bacon Act should be focused upon the policy's ethical basis and should not be sacrificed in cost-benefit analysis based upon "free market" efficiency. The Davis-Bacon Act achieves distributive justice with benefits for the general pubic, construction workers and their communities, and construction companies. The Davis-Bacon Act is defended as an effective method to support or expand the middle class economically and ideologically, and is an example of the Aristotelean ethos to balance conflicting interests within society to achieve social stability and harmony.

Keywords

Act; Bacon; Davis; Erosion; Justice; Policies; Public; Review; Support; Workplace

Controlled Subject

Economics; Public administration; Labor economics; Industrial relations

File Format

pdf

File Size

2222.08 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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