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Robust Inequality of Opportunity Comparisons: Theory and Application to Early Childhood Policy Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Andreoli

    (LISER - Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research)

  • Tarjei Havnes

    (University of Oslo)

  • Arnaud Lefranc

    (CY - CY Cergy Paris Université, THEMA - Théorie économique, modélisation et applications - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CY - CY Cergy Paris Université)

Abstract

This paper develops a criterion to assess equalization of opportunity that is consistent with theoretical views of equality of opportunity. We characterize inequality of opportunity as a situation where some groups in society enjoy an illegitimate advantage. In this context, equalization of opportunity requires that the extent of the illegitimate advantage enjoyed by the privileged groups falls. Robustness requires that this judgment be supported by the broadest class of individual preferences. We formalize this criterion in a decision-theoretic framework and derive an empirical condition for equalization of opportunity based on observed opportunity distributions. The criterion is used to assess the effectiveness of child care at equalizing opportunity among children, using quantile treatment effects estimates of a major child care reform in Norway. Overall, we find strong evidence supporting equalization of opportunity.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Andreoli & Tarjei Havnes & Arnaud Lefranc, 2019. "Robust Inequality of Opportunity Comparisons: Theory and Application to Early Childhood Policy Evaluation," Post-Print hal-03677673, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03677673
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_00747
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Andreoli & Mathieu Faure & Nicolas Gravel & Tista Kundu, 2021. "Evaluating distributions of opportunities from behind a veil of ignorance: A robust approach," AMSE Working Papers 2137, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.
    2. Chen, Xi, 2022. "Early Life Circumstances and the Health of Older Adults: A Research Note," IZA Discussion Papers 15511, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Colcerasa, Francesco & Giammei, Lorenzo & Subioli, Francesca, 2025. "The network of injustice: a novel approach to inequality of opportunity," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 127182, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Colcerasa, Francesco & Giammei, Lorenzo & Subioli, Francesca, 2025. "The Network of Injustice: A Novel Approach to Inequality of Opportunity," SocArXiv zutbq_v1, Center for Open Science.
    5. Francesco Andreoli & Claudio Zoli, 2023. "Robust dissimilarity comparisons with categorical outcomes," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 60(3), pages 397-437, April.
    6. Kristof Bosmans & Z. Emel Öztürk, 2021. "Measurement of inequality of opportunity: A normative approach," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 19(2), pages 213-237, June.
    7. Chen, Xi & Yan, Binjian & Gill, Thomas M., 2020. "Childhood Circumstances and Health Inequality in Old Age: Comparative Evidence from China and the United States," GLO Discussion Paper Series 594, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    8. Paolo Brunori & Flaviana Palmisano & Vito Peragine, 2022. "Income taxation and equity: new dominance criteria with a microsimulation application," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 20(3), pages 509-536, September.
    9. Paul Hufe & Andreas Peichl & Daniel Weishaar, 2019. "Lower and Upper Bounds of Inequality of Opportunity in Emerging Economies," ifo Working Paper Series 301, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    10. Francesco Andreoli & Claudio Zoli, 2019. "Robust dissimilarity comparisons with categorical outcomes," Working Papers 502, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    11. Middleditch, Paul & Moindrot, Will & Rudkin, Simon, 2022. "Teaching with Twitter: An extension to the traditional learning environment," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    12. Xi Chen & Binjian Yan & Thomas M. Gill, 2022. "Childhood Circumstances and Health Inequality in Old Age: Comparative Evidence from China and the USA," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 689-716, April.

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