Efficiency

• Begins with resource constraint• Requires some sense of an end or goal• Asks about the relationship of means to this end• (Can also refer to overall state)• Free and well functioning market is often used a

s a proxy

Equity: It’s not fair!

• “Equal slices but unequal invitations”1

Who counts? How are some excluded?• “Equal slices for equal ranks”

How is rank established? Is this a fair basis?• “Equal shares for equal blocs.”

?????• “Unequal slices but equal meals”

1. This and the following distinctions draw on an example developed in Stone (2001) pp. 39-42.

It’s not fair!

• “Unequal slices but equal value.”

• “Equal starting resources.”

• “Equal statistical chances.”

• “Equal votes.”

3 general questions:

• Who is in the class of recipients and how is the distribution operationalized?

• What is being distributed? (or should be distributed?)

• Is the process fair?

Process vs Substance (and process)

• Should we redistribute or fix the process?• What kind of interference is acceptable?• Are different forms of property an individual or a

collective creation?• Are people motivated by need or intrinsic drive?

Welfare reform

• Did the policy reform work?• What is at issue in the debate?• Equity of what?• What is historical context of debate? How has thi

s changed?• Is this equity versus efficiency?