Synopses & Reviews
John Roemer points out that there are two views of equality of opportunity that are widely held today. The first, which he calls the nondiscrimination principle, states that in the competition for positions in society, individuals should be judged only on attributes relevant to the performance of the duties of the position in question. Attributes such as race or sex should not be taken into account. The second states that society should do what it can to level the playing field among persons who compete for positions, especially during their formative years, so that all those who have the relevant potential attributes can be considered. Roemer argues that there is consequently a before and an after in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized, by social intervention if need be; but after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate that separates before from after. Roemer works out in a precise way how to determine the location of the starting gate in the different views. Roemer's combination of the techniques of economics and philosophy throws down a challenge to those in both disciplines. He believes he has sorted out equal opportunity, to leave us only with questions of personal responsibility and efficiency. A dash of political science may rein in what we can make of his account, but Equality of Opportunity is a very important work of metaphysical welfare economics. --Keith Dowding, Times Higher Education Supplement
Review
Articulates a level-playing-field view of equal opportunity. Proposes that the equal-opportunity policy must equalize, in an average sense, the educational achievements of all types of people but not equalize the achievements within types, which differ according to effort. Times Higher Education Supplement
Review
Roemer's combination of the techniques of economics and philosophy throws down a challenge to those in both disciplines. He believes he has sorted out equal opportunity, to leave us only with questions of personal responsibility and efficiency. A dash of political science may rein in what we can make of his account, but Equality of Opportunity is a very important work of metaphysical welfare economics. Keith Dowding
Synopsis
John Roemer points out that there are two views of equality of opportunity that are widely held today. The first, which he calls the nondiscrimination principle, states that in the competition for positions in society, individuals should be judged only on attributes relevant to the performance of the duties of the position in question. Attributes such as race or sex should not be taken into account. The second states that society should do what it can to level the playing field among persons who compete for positions, especially during their formative years, so that all those who have the relevant potential attributes can be considered.
Common to both positions is that at some point the principle of equal opportunity holds individuals accountable for achievements of particular objectives, whether they be education, employment, health, or income. Roemer argues that there is consequently a "before" and an "after" in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized, by social intervention if need be; but after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate which separates "before" from "after." Roemer works out in a precise way how to determine the location of the starting gate in the different views.
Synopsis
John Roemer argues that there is a "before" and an "after" in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized, by social intervention if need be; but after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate which separates "before" from "after." Roemer works out in a precise way how to determine the location of the starting gate in the different views.
About the Author
John Roemer is Elizabeth S. and A. Varick Stout Professor of Political Science and Economics, Yale University.
Yale University
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Circumstances, Types, and Autonomous Choice
Justifying the Proposal
A Formal Definition of Equality of Opportunity
Incentive Properties of the EOp Mechanism
Equality of Opportunity with Production
Equality of Opportunity for Welfare
Equality of Opportunity for Health
Education and Advantage
Equal-Opportunity Unemployment Insurance
The EOp Distribution of Educational Finance in the United States
The Scope and Extent of Equal Opportunity
To What Extent Should We Equalize Opportunities?
Affirmative Action
Concluding Remarks
References
Index