Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Most people strive to be fair. Out of all the partisanship we see in politics today, fairness is one virtue almost everybody can agree to pursue. However, attempts by politicians to mobilize support behind the idea of “fairness” are complicated by its ambiguous definition.
The vagueness of the term, the popularity of its use and the utter disregard for the fact that it can mean so many different things has created quite a powerful, yet empty, promise for politicians to make.
Many on the political left judge the level of fairness on outcomes. Virtually any disparity in outcomes is almost automatically blamed on discrimination. If outcomes are unequal, they must be rearranged to correct the imbalance.
So often it seems as though those on the left are so focused on outputs that they disregard inputs. Rather than focus on attitudes, behaviors, and priorities, they place the focus on forcing equality.
We have seen this time and time again, it seems as though the goal is to turn achievement by overcoming obstacles into a simple result of privilege and frame those that lag as helpless victims of an evil society.
Once considered a political taboo in America, the trend in politics today is to advocate class warfare. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of it. We hear time and time again about national level income inequality, measured by the amount of disparity between the richest and the poorest classes. We hear about “closing the achievement gap” in the economy and education system.
Equalization becomes the goal of politicians. “Closing the gap” becomes a campaign pledge. Inequalities of outcomes are framed as “unfair.”
However, forcing equalization, which almost always means equalizing downward by lowering those at the top, only masks the real problem.
Fairness ought to be defined as equal opportunity, which does not necessarily produce equal outcomes. Attempts should be made to eliminate obstacles to full participation in the market economy and the ability to make use of those skills.
But many on the left see different outcomes as unfair and propose redistribution programs to compensate. This forced redistribution brings down those at the top while ignoring any structural issues that could actually solve problems instead of simply covering them up.
Take education for example. In my opinion, intercity education is very poor quality. This creates an unfair barrier to compete in a free market system. If the intent is to help people at the bottom of income levels, then education should be a top priority.
However, history has shown that redistributing resources by throwing more money in schools is not the solution. Instead the problem is the structure and lack of incentives for schools, neighborhoods and communities to improve themselves. This is where the barriers are created, and as such, it is where the solutions should be sought.
Providing free public education, offering scholarships and ensuring other opportunities for achievement are good. But there should be no illusion that they can undo differences in an individual’s priorities, attitudes and efforts.
That’s the right idea.
— Compton is a senior from Wichita in history and political science.
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Comments
Compton: Fairness means equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome
History has shown that throwing money at problems doesn't solve them, and redistributing wealth doesn't change structures? What is a structure? I don't think you know. An attitude is not a structure.
What inspired you to write an article insulting people from the inner cities? Is your solution to poverty and crime rates "you gotta want it"? Do you think people from the hood like living in the worst conditions in America? Do you think that's their priority? Is it just that white men have done a better job at having a "can-do" attitude than all of those silly minorities wasting away in the hood?
Compton: Fairness means equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome
"In my opinion, intercity education is very poor quality." Oh Chet, you crack me up. Let's be besties for life.
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