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Price gouging and the duty of easy rescue

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  • Brake, Elizabeth

Abstract

What, if anything, is wrong with price gouging? Its defenders argue that it increases supply of scarce necessities; critics argue that it is exploitative, inequitable and vicious. In this paper, I argue for its moral wrongness and legal prohibition, without relying on charges of exploitation, inequity or poor character. What is fundamentally wrong with price gouging is that it violates a duty of easy rescue. While legal enforcement of such duties is controversial, a special case can be made for their legal enforcement in this context. This account distinguishes, morally, price gouging by corporations from that of individual entrepreneurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Brake, Elizabeth, 2021. "Price gouging and the duty of easy rescue," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 37(3), pages 329-352, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:ecnphi:v:37:y:2021:i:3:p:329-352_1
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