Leif Wenar's Argument On Property Rights

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Throughout our class discussion on Leif Wenar’s argument on the topic of property rights, the Clean Hands Trust that he proposes stood out to me. Although his proposal may seem ideal when written on paper, I had several questions regarding the execution of this Trust, should we ever attempt to realize it. First, would the tariffs impose enough damage on developed countries to have them reconsider trade agreements with developing countries who are stealing natural resources from its people? Take the China-Sudan example into consideration. Wenar discussed how participating countries would impose tariffs on Chinese imports until they have raised the same amount of money that China had bought oil from Sudan for ($3 billion). However, as China is one of the top exporters in the …show more content…

Exactly, over how long of a period are countries participating in the Clean Hands Trust expected to hold the money raised from tariffs? And are the countries participating in the Clean Hands Trust willing to offer any humanitarian aid to the developing countries in which they are run by an unjust government/dictator? Wenar states that the money from the Trust will be returned to the people as soon as “they can replace the regime that is looting them with a decent, unified government”. If most of the developing countries have a rating of 6-7, how should we expect the people to overthrow their government by themselves? Are we to just wait around until the dictatorial regime depletes a bit in its resources/funds and give up? Or watch while the people, who are already living in a very oppressed environment, attempt to overthrow their government to no avail? Although the economic side & incentive to Wenar’s Clean Hands Trust seems like a good idea, I think that without an outside humanitarian aid aspect, it will not work. Or else, in the end, the developed countries would just continue to hold on to the money for an indefinite period of

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