fair equal opportunity

political theory

Also known as: substantive equal opportunity

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

In political theory, equal opportunity is the concept that individuals should be able to compete on a level playing field for desirable positions. This means that factors like social class, race, or sex should not unfairly influence a person's prospects.

There are two main views:
* Formal equal opportunity: This emphasizes open competition, where jobs and educational places are available to all, and selection is based on merit.
* Fair (or substantive) equal opportunity: This goes further, requiring fair access to the qualifications needed for success, actively counteracting disadvantages stemming from circumstances like family background or economic status.

Philosopher John Rawls advocated for fair equal opportunity, arguing that individuals with similar talents and ambition should have similar prospects, regardless of their background. This ideal aims to ensure that inequalities in outcomes are not due to brute luck but rather to voluntary choices.

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equal opportunity
Fairness and equality
…resulting position is often called fair, or substantive, equal opportunity, in contrast to the formal equal opportunity provided by open competition on its own.
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…resulting position is often called fair, or substantive, equal opportunity, in contrast to the formal equal opportunity provided by open competition on its own.
Read More