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Priority to the Furthest Behind

Author

Listed:
  • Fleurbaey Marc

    (Princeton University, Department of Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton NJ, USA)

Abstract

The UN Resolution heralding the Sustainable Development Goals pledges to leave no one behind, and moreover “to reach the furthest behind first”. This priority echoes the priority to the worst-off that is being discussed in philosophy, economics and related disciplines, but also the pleas of many actors who represent or fight for the most disadvantaged populations. This paper argues that serious theories do support such a priority and that the best policies implementing this priority do not necessarily involve the most intuitive anti-poverty targeted measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Fleurbaey Marc, 2018. "Priority to the Furthest Behind," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:globdv:v:9:y:2018:i:2:p:10:n:9
    DOI: 10.1515/jgd-2019-0039
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fleurbaey,Marc & Maniquet,François, 2011. "A Theory of Fairness and Social Welfare," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521715348.
    2. Jayaraj, D. & Subramanian, S., 2010. "Poverty, Inequality, and Population: Essays in Development and Applied Measurement," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198067948.
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    4. Basu, Kaushik, 2006. "Globalization, poverty, and inequality: What is the relationship? What can be done?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 1361-1373, August.
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    7. Ravallion, Martin, 1990. "On the coverage of public employment schemes for poverty alleviation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 57-79, November.
    8. Tuomala, Matti, 2016. "Optimal Redistributive Taxation," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198753414.
    9. Klasen, Stephan, 2008. "Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction: Measurement Issues using Income and Non-Income Indicators," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 420-445, March.
    10. Marc Fleurbaey & Bertil Tungodden, 2010. "The tyranny of non-aggregation versus the tyranny of aggregation in social choices: a real dilemma," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 44(3), pages 399-414, September.
    11. Subramanian,, 2006. "Rights, Deprivation, and Disparity: Essays in Concepts and Measurement," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195676433.
    12. Fleurbaey, Marc, 1995. "Equal Opportunity or Equal Social Outcome?," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(1), pages 25-55, April.
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    leave no one behind; priority to the worst off; SDG;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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