Equal Opportunity, Not Reparations

In Mitja Sardoč (ed.), Handbook of Equality of Opportunity. Springer (2023)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The thesis of this essay is that equal opportunity (EO) "strictly dominates" (in the game-theoretic sense) reparations. That is, (1) all the ways reparations would make our world more just would also be achieved under EO; (2) EO would make our world more just in ways reparations cannot; and (3) reparations would create injustices which EO would avoid. Further, (4) EO has important practical advantages over reparations. These include economic efficiency, feasibility, and long-term impact. Supporters of reparations should abandon that ideal to support equal opportunity instead.

Author's Profile

Thomas Mulligan
Georgetown University

Analytics

Added to PP
2023-11-22

Downloads
412 (#57,001)

6 months
142 (#28,720)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?