Equality of outcome
Equality of outcome is a basic form of egalitarianism which seeks to reduce or eliminate differences between individuals or households in a society.
In theory, equality of outcome can be contrasted with equal opportunity, though many proponents of the latter use measures of the former to judge success. To the extent that inequalities can be passed form one generation to another through gifts and wealth inheritance, it is unclear that equality of opportunity for children can be achieved without greater equality of outcome for parents.
A progressive taxation system is likely to increase equality of outcome as is a welfare state, though these will tend only to reduce social inequality, rather than eliminating it.
Greater equality of outcome is likely to reduce relative poverty, leading to a more cohesive society, though it may damage incentives to work harder, or indeed work at all. Some critics believe that the standard of living of the poorest in absolute terms is more important than their relative position; others believe that freedom and accepting the consequences of that freedom should take priority over equality of outcome.
A society that puts equality -- in the sense of equality of outcome -- ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom. The use of force to achieve equality will destroy freedom, and the force, introduced for good purposes, will end up in the hands of people who use it to promote their own interests. -- Milton Friedman, quoted in Thomas Sowell's , pg. 130
John Rawls, in his A Theory of Justice, developed a "second principle of justice" that economic and social inequalities can only be justified if they benefit all of society, especially its most disadvantaged members. Furthermore, all economically and socially privileged positions must be open to all people equally. For example, it is only justified that a doctor makes more money than a grocery clerk so far as if this were not the case, no one go through the training to be a doctor, and there would be no medical care.
See also
