Equality of Opportunity and Opportunity Pluralism

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the relationship between Equality of Opportunity and Opportunity Pluralism, proposing a formal economic framework that suggests they are compatible, challenging traditional views on human flourishing and opportunity theories.

Contribution

It formalizes the concept of Opportunity Pluralism within economic theory and demonstrates its compatibility with traditional Equality of Opportunity.

Findings

Traditional Equality of Opportunity theories are compatible with Opportunity Pluralism.

The paper provides a formal economic model linking the two theories.

It challenges the view that these theories are inherently in conflict.

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the potential trade-off arising between the theories of $\textit{Equality of Opportunity}$ and $\textit{Opportunity Pluralism}$. Whereas the first theory has received much attention in the literature on Welfare Economics, the second one has only recently been introduced with the publication of the book by Joseph Fishkin, $\textit{Bottlenecks: A New Theory of Equal Opportunity}$. After arguing extensively that any notion of human flourishing is incompatible with traditional theories of $\textit{Equality of Opportunity}$, the author proposes an alternative theory squarely based on a broad notion of human development. This paper seeks to formalize the argument made in this book through the lens of economic theory. My analysis suggests that traditional theories of $\textit{Equality of Opportunity}$ are not incompatible with $\textit{Opportunity Pluralism}$.