Equity, Equality, and Fairness

Equity: Comparison of different resources or outcomes among individuals to ensure that every individual receives what is necessary for equality of results.
- Explains that equity is typically focused on outcomes, inferring that variations in resources may require adjustments to ensure the same results for all individuals.
Equality: The condition of being equal, especially regarding status, rights, and opportunities.
- Emphasizes equal access and opportunities for all individuals, rather than equal results.

Equity vs. Equality: The two terms may have overlapping roots but imply different principles:
- Equity involves adjusting resources so that everyone achieves equal outcomes. Example: If one person has $10 and another has $5 and both need $20, money is distributed to equalize the outcome (e.g., 15 and 10).
  - The emphasis is on equalizing the end goal of resources, often enforced by government mechanisms (laws, incentives).
- Equality grants everyone the same opportunities regardless of differing starting resources. Example: Each person may receive $10 without considering their initial resources, thus not necessarily ensuring similar outcomes.
  - The focus is on equal opportunity rather than equal results.

Equity Approach: Often connects with government intervention to ensure adequate distribution of resources.
- It suggests that societal goals should focus on achieving equal outcomes by requiring adjustments from those with more resources.
Equality Approach: Supports the belief that everyone should have the freedom to pursue their goals without arbitrary restrictions based on characteristics such as race or gender.
- This approach accepts that variations in outcomes are natural as long as access to opportunities is equitable.

Equity Example: In a theoretical society aiming for equity, resources must be allocated to ensure all individuals end with equal wealth (e.g., all should end up with the same amount of money).
Equality Example: In a society focusing on equality, individuals can pursue their career desires (like becoming a doctor or teacher) without external barriers, leading to varying outcomes based on personal success.

Beyond economics, both equity and equality enter ethical debates regarding fairness and justice in society.
Fairness is often confused with both terms, where:
- Individuals may feel fairness is achieved when outcomes are the same across the board (leaning towards equity).
- Fairness may also refer to unbiased opportunities to pursue one's goals and aspirations (leaning towards equality).
Ethical considerations are significant, as different societal systems may prioritize one approach over another, leading to legal and political debates.

Fairness is a subjective term that varies among individuals based on personal experience and societal values.
- It is closely linked to the discussions on justice and how outcomes are viewed concerning societal norms.
The need for fairness touches on the differences between:
- Equity as fairness: Shaping outcomes to ensure everyone arrives at the same endpoint.
- Equality as fairness: Enabling equal chances to pursue different paths without barriers.

The Anglo-American justice system from a legal perspective differentiates between criminal actions (wrongs) and torts:
- Torts: Civil wrongs leading to legal liability where the aim is to compensate the injured party (usually through monetary damages).
- Criminal law: Addresses intentional or harmful actions, imposing penalties or rehabilitation efforts through state intervention.
This division highlights how society manages retributive justice through penalties for wrongful actions and how it approaches wrongful conduct from both a civil and criminal lens.

Retributive Justice: Focuses on punishment for wrongdoers, asserting that justice is rendered based on the actions of individuals.
- Aims at ensuring accountability for negative conduct, whether intentional (malicious) or unintentional (negligence).
Distributive Justice: Discusses fair allocation of resources, including basic human needs (food, shelter) and newer demands (internet access)
- Raises societal debates around what resources should be considered rights, shaping the discussion on governmental responsibilities to its citizens.

Procedural Justice refers to fairness in the process by which laws are enacted and enforced.
- Ensures equal treatment and protections under the law, highlighting the importance of due process to administer justice impartially.
- Justice is often personified as being blind, indicating an ideal where legal processes should remain unbiased regardless of individual characteristics such as wealth or race.