Final answer:
Utilitarianism is the most influential account of maximizing welfare, advocating for policies that create the greatest net happiness. Defenders like Robert Goodin support the welfare state as necessary, while philosophers like John Rawls align with the utilitarian focus on societal well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most influential account of how and why we should maximize welfare is Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a welfare-based principle that posits the goal of society should be to maximize human happiness and welfare, which is often summarized as 'the greatest happiness for the greatest number'. However, this does not fully capture the utilitarian doctrine since it seeks to increase happiness and reduce unhappiness as part of its pursuit to maximize net happiness.
Robert Goodin defends the welfare state in his arguments, suggesting that the welfare state's justification is not only to step towards an ideally just society but also as a necessary institution in its own right. Furthermore, the utilitarian approach is key in discussions surrounding distributive justice, including the work by John Rawls, who also emphasizes the well-being of citizens as a vital component of any governmental agreement.
Historically, Utilitarianism was developed to urge legislators to consider the common good above their personal interests. It advocates for policies that consider the happiness of the majority, ascribing equal worth to every human being and seeking actions that maximize overall benefit.