ARGUMENT AND ALLOCATION - THE CONTENTION OF AJAX AND ULYSSES FOR THE ARMOR OF ACHILLES

A classic representation of a striking instance of non-market allocati on of a scarce good may be seen in the contention of Ajax and Ulysses for Achilles' armor (Ovid, Metamorphoses, XII 612-XIII 398). The conte ntion is viewed through the prism of Jon Elster's recent work, Local j ustice. How Institutions Allocate Scarce Goods and Necessary Burdens. A distinctive allocative mechanism is identified: allocation by peer d emocracy in light of arguments made by rival claimants. It is argued t hat this mechanism is of current interest, for it closely integrates t he spheres of democracy and distributive justice. The relations betwee n argument and allocation are sketched, alternative mechanisms are not ed, and implications for socialism are suggested.