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Empirical Approaches to Inequality of Opportunity: Principles, Measures, and Evidence

Author

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  • Ramos, Xavier

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

  • Van de gaer, Dirk

    (Ghent University)

Abstract
We put together the different conceptual issues involved in measuring inequality of opportunity, discuss how these concepts have been translated into computable measures, and point out the problems and choices researchers face when implementing these measures. Our analysis identifies and suggests several new possibilities to measure inequality of opportunity. The approaches are illustrated with a selective survey of the empirical literature on income inequality of opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramos, Xavier & Van de gaer, Dirk, 2012. "Empirical Approaches to Inequality of Opportunity: Principles, Measures, and Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 6672, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6672
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    effort; equality of opportunity; measurement; compensation; responsibility; circumstances;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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