The views on distributive justice and economic inequality revisited: the political philosophy and the economic perspectives on (in)equality

Abstract

This review attempts to provide pointers to some of the parallel evolution of the concept of distributive justice put forward by philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists. In political philosophy, debates originating in the 17th century have primarily focused on the conditions for redistribution, the definition of justice, and how to make society more just. These debates have evolved from discussions between egalitarians and utilitarians to modern theories of capabilities and inequality of opportunity. Economic inequality from the economists perspective is often linked to the measurement of socioeconomic conditions at a specific point in time (although initial conditions or future income may also be considered), and often does not include considerations of fairness or institutional guarantees of liberty, equal opportunity, or fair distribution. This review emphasizes that distributive justice and inequality are separate concepts with separate discussions. Political philosophers debate distributive justice along multiple axes, including utilitarian and egalitarian perspectives, as well as theories of ex ante inequality of opportunity and capabilities. In contrast, economists focus on issues such as measurement, the existence of an efficiency/inequality trade-off, and the endogeneity of inequality.