Pancho: So what does political philosophy have to say about the banking crisis?
Lefty: Excuse me?
Pancho: Well, millions ruined, pensions and savings binned, an appeal to taxpayers to save the banks? It all seems rather, um, well _distributive_… I’d have thought you could give us some policy advice?
Lefty: Well I don’t really do that kind of thing, I do ideal theory.
Pancho: What’s that when it’s at home?
Lefty: I’m mainly concerned with devising optimal principles of social regulation under conditions of strict compliance, this is far too messy for me …
Pancho: Go on, have a go!
Lefty: OK well, since you insist …. Luck egalitarianism might be a good starting point.