Description: John Roemer argues that there is a "before" and an "after" in the notion of equality of opportunity: before the competition starts, opportunities must be equalized; after it begins, individuals are on their own. The different views of equal opportunity should be judged according to where they place the starting gate.
Brief description: John E. Roemer is Elizabeth S. and A. Varick Stout Professor of Political Science and Economics at Yale University.
Review Quotes: Roemer's combination of the techniques of economics and philosophy throws down a challenge to those in both disciplines. He believes he has sorted out equal opportunity, to leave us only with questions of personal responsibility and efficiency. A dash of political science may rein in what we can make of his account, but Equality of Opportunity is a very important work of metaphysical welfare economics.--Keith Dowding "Times Higher Education Supplement"