Equality and Opportunity Notes

Thinking about Equality

  • Today's Agenda:

    • Critical Reflection IV
    • Returning to differences in equality
    • Responding to inequality

  • Quote:

    • "We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." - Malala Yousafzai, United Nations International Women's Day 2014

Critical Reflection #4

  • Does everyone have the same life chances in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Social Divisions & Stratification

  • Our shared and social lives are divided by social divisions that result in the stratification of society.

Equality: Outcome vs. Opportunity

  • Equality of Outcome: A state in which people have similar levels of wealth, status, and living conditions.
  • Equality of Opportunity: Focuses on giving people the same life chances but does not guarantee an outcome.

Activity Considerations

  • What would equality of outcome and equality of opportunity look like in this activity?
  • How could we arrange this activity to ensure either equality of outcome or opportunity?
  • If getting the ball in the bucket is ‘life success', how should this activity be organized?

Inequality & Crime

  • Why might there be more crime and imprisonment in more unequal countries?

Welfare States

  • Welfare states emerged in the 20th century as a systematic way of responding to poverty and meeting the basic needs of citizens.
  • Welfare states distribute collective taxes to those who need it most to improve both equality of outcome and opportunity.
  • Welfare states assume that the economy inherently excludes some people, and it is for everyone’s benefit if they are supported.
  • Question: Are the poor to be blamed for their suffering?

Focus Considerations

  • Should I focus more on:
    • Getting more students to pass?
    • Getting the highest quality assessments?