Is Inequality of Opportunity Robust to the Measurement Approach?

Xavi Ramos () and Dirk Van de gaer

No 11157, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Recent literature has suggested many ways of measuring equality of opportunity. We analyze in a systematic manner the various approaches put forth in the literature to show whether and to what extent different choices matter empirically. We use EU-SILC data for most European countries for 2005 and 2011. The choice between ex-ante and ex-post approaches is crucial and has a substantial influence on inequality of opportunity country orderings. Growth regressions also illustrate the relevance of conceptual choices. We only find significant negative effects for some direct parametric ex-ante measures.

Keywords: equality of opportunity; measurement; ex-ante; ex-post; direct approach; indirect approach; responsibility; effort; income; EU-SILC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D3 D63 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 26 pages
Date: 2017-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur and nep-ltv
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published - published in: Review of Income and Wealth , 2021, 67 (1), 18 - 36

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Related works:
Journal Article: Is Inequality of Opportunity Robust to the Measurement Approach? (2021)
Working Paper: Is inequality of opportunity robust to the measurement approach? (2020)
Working Paper: Is inequality of opportunity robust to the measurement approach? (2017)
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