Can paternalistic laws regulating prostitution be reconciled with the fundamental principles of contemporary liberalism? Peter de Marneffe, a scholar of political philosophy, examines the tension between civil libertarian arguments for the legalization of prostitution and feminist critiques regarding the inherent harms of the sex industry. He constructs an argument suggesting that if prostitution is demonstrably harmful to participants, then state intervention is not merely moralistic but a justifiable exercise of paternalism that remains consistent with liberal frameworks.

Scholars and students of political philosophy frequently cite this work for its rigorous attempt to bridge the gap between liberal autonomy and state-mandated protection. Readers often note the density of the prose, which requires a strong background in ethical theory to fully parse the author's logical progression.