4. Equality of Opportunity: Welfare

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About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we explore equality of opportunity as it applies to welfare, focusing in particular on: (i) a thought experiment exploring the limits of equality of opportunity; (ii) the arguments of the philosopher Ronald Dworkin (1931-2013); (iii) the relationship between the role of the market and equality of opportunity.

Course

In this course, Professor Tom Parr (University of Warwick) explores the concept of equality in political philosophy. In the first module, we begin with an introduction to the concept of political equality, focusing in particular on the two key principles of equal concern and equal respect. Then, in the second module, we explore three conceptions of equality of opportunity, formal, fair, and socialist equality of opportunity. In the third module, we explore the relationship between ideas of political equality and redistributive taxation, focusing in particular on the objections raised by the conservative political philosopher Robert Nozick (1938-2002) against redistributive taxation. In the fourth module we explore equality of opportunity as it applies to welfare, before turning in the fifth module to consider equality of opportunity as it applies to family life. In the sixth and final module, we take our discussion of political equality beyond the demands of equality of opportunity. This course covers thinkers and ideas on both the Core Political Ideas – Liberalism (John Rawls) and Core Political Ideas – Conservatism (Robert Nozick) parts of the AQA and Edexcel A Level Politics specifications.

Lecturer

Professor Tom Parr is a Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Warwick. His research interests encompass contemporary political philosophy, and he is currently writing a book on 'The Future of Work: Labour Markets, Technology, and Social Justice' (under contract with Oxford University Press). His first book, 'Introducing Political Philosophy: A Policy-Driven Approach', was published with Oxford University Press in 2021.