2. Three Conceptions of Equality of Opportunity

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we explore three conceptions of equality of opportunity, focusing in particular on: (i) formal equality of opportunity: the idea that an individual's life chances should not be determined by irrelevant factors (such as gender, race or sexuality); (ii) fair equality of opportunity: the idea that an individual's life chances should not be determined by the social class into which they were born; (iii) the arguments of the philosopher John Rawls; (iv) socialist equality of opportunity: the idea that an individual's life chances should not be determined by natural factors, e.g. a natural aptitude for marketable talents; (v) possible application of these principles and how they relate to the responsibilities of government.

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.