Fairness and equality are not synonymous, despite popular belief. To illustrate, consider a scenario where everyone starts at the same point in a race. That’s equality. But if one person is handicapped, fairness dictates they should get a head start. This is the crux of the argument presented by economist Alex Tabarrok. He suggests that the notion of fairness is inherently unequal, as it often involves giving more to those who have less.
Tabarrok also underlines the importance of distinguishing between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. While the former is about providing everyone with the same starting point, the latter is about ensuring everyone ends up at the same finish line. However, achieving equality of outcome often requires unequal treatment, which can be perceived as unfair.
In a broader societal context, striving for equality of outcome can also lead to a reduction in overall wealth. This is because it often involves redistribution of resources, which can disincentivise hard work and innovation. Therefore, Tabarrok proposes that society should aim for equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome.
Interestingly, Tabarrok notes that people’s perceptions of fairness often depend on their own position. Those who are better off tend to view fairness as equality of opportunity, while those who are less well off tend to view fairness as equality of outcome. Therefore, the debate between fairness and equality is not just a philosophical one, but also a deeply personal and political one.
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