ABSTRACT

This chapter argues that the idea of equal opportunity for welfare is the best interpretation of the ideal of distributive equality. It considers a distributive agency that has at its disposal a stock of goods that individuals want to own and use. The problem to be considered is: How to divide the goods in order to meet an appropriate standard of equality. The chapter discusses that some goods are legitimately available for distribution in this fashion, hence that the entitlements and deserts of individuals do not predetermine the proper ownership of all resources. The discussion to this point has explored two independent distinctions: straight equality versus equal opportunity and welfare versus resources as the appropriate basis for measuring distributive shares. Amartya Sen holds that the distribution of resources should be evaluated in terms of its contribution to individual capabilities to function in various ways deemed to be objectively important or valuable.