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Ex ante versus ex post equality of opportunity

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Fleurbaey

    (CNRS-CERSES, University of Paris-Descartes, CORE (University of Louvain-la-Neuve) and IDEP)

  • Vito Peragine

    (University of Bari and CHILD (University of Turin))

Abstract

We study the difference between the ex post and the ex ante perspectives in equality of opportunity (EOp), and the possibility of a clash between them. We argue that ex ante EOp is a potential trap because someone motivated by ex post EOp may be led to believe that ex ante EOp is another natural embodiment of the same idea. As we show, it is not. Moreover, we explore the relationship between the ex post/ex ante tension and the well documented clash between the "compensation principle" and various "reward principles": we show that the tension between reward and compensation only exists if one endorses an ex post view of EOp; on the contrary, it vanishes if one adopts an ex ante view of equality of opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Fleurbaey & Vito Peragine, 2009. "Ex ante versus ex post equality of opportunity," Working Papers 141, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    • Handle: RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2009-141
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    File URL: http://www.ecineq.org/milano/WP/ECINEQ2009-141.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    equality of opportunity; ex ante/ex post; compensation; reward;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations

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