Generalized Gini Indices of Equality of Opportunity

Working Paper No. 01-W14R

John A. Weymark



ABSTRACT [article]



This article considers the ranking of profiles of opportunity sets on the basis of their equality. A version of the Pigou-Dalton transfer principle that is appropriate for the measurement of opportunity inequality is introduced and used to axiomatize the class of generalized Gini equality of opportunity orderings. A characterization of the class of generalized Gini social preference orderings for opportunity profiles is also provided.

Keywords and Phrases: Equity, equality of opportunity, Gini, inequality measurement, opportunity sets

JEL Classification Number: D63


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