| Equality of Opportunity Contributor(s): Roemer, John E. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0674004221 ISBN-13: 9780674004221 Publisher: Harvard University Press OUR PRICE: $40.59 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: October 2000 Annotation: John Roemer points out that there are two views of equality of opportunity that are widely held today. The first, which he calls the nondiscrimination principle, states that in the competition for positions in society, individuals should be judged only on attributes relevant to the performance of the duties of the position in question. Attributes such as race or sex should not be taken into account. The second states that society should do what it can to level the playing field among persons who compete for positions, especially during their formative years, so that all those who have the relevant potential attributes can be considered. Roemer argues that there is consequently a "before" and an "after" in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized, by social intervention if need be; but after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate that separates "before" from "after". Roemer works out in a precise way how to determine the location of the starting gate in the different views. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Policy - Social Science | Discrimination & Race Relations - Law | Labor & Employment |
| Dewey: 320.126 |
| LCCN: 97033525 |
| Physical Information: 0.38" H x 5.69" W x 8.96" (0.30 lbs) 128 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: John Roemer points out that there are two views of equality of opportunity that are widely held today. The first, which he calls the nondiscrimination principle, states that in the competition for positions in society, individuals should be judged only on attributes relevant to the performance of the duties of the position in question. Attributes such as race or sex should not be taken into account. The second states that society should do what it can to level the playing field among persons who compete for positions, especially during their formative years, so that all those who have the relevant potential attributes can be considered. Common to both positions is that at some point the principle of equal opportunity holds individuals accountable for achievements of particular objectives, whether they be education, employment, health, or income. Roemer argues that there is consequently a before and an after in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized, by social intervention if need be; but after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate which separates before from after. Roemer works out in a precise way how to determine the location of the starting gate in the different views. |
Contributor Bio(s): Roemer, John E.: - John E. Roemer is Elizabeth S. and A. Varick Stout Professor of Political Science and Economics at Yale University. |