Opportunity after Neoliberalism
The notion of equal opportunity has long played a central role in U.S. politics and policymaking. Across the ideological spectrum, it is often held up as an economic ideal—a way of arranging access to education, work, and wealth—as well as an egalitarian one, giving meaning to the notion that all citizens are equal.
At the same time, in a neoliberal age that emphasizes personal responsibility and individual merit, the meaning and value of opportunity have become increasingly contested, and a new wave of egalitarian thinking has emphasized the importance of outcomes and public goods. This project explores these debates about what an opportunity society should look like, bringing together economists, philosophers, historians, and policymakers to imagine a just society—and the way to get there.
Generously supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
An Open Letter from Faculty at West Virginia University
The crisis here spells disaster for the future of public education.
Can Innovation Serve the Public Good?
Not as it’s traditionally done, but there are more equitable models.
Equality of Results Revisited
The history of debates about educational outcomes holds important lessons.
Equality Matters
Final response: we need a more substantive and generous understanding of the egalitarian ideal.
The Earth for Man
Redistributing land was once central to global development efforts—and it should be today.
Yes, Tax the Rich—and Also the Merely Affluent
For years the left has rallied around taxing the 1 percent, but this group is too narrow.
The Frozen Politics of Social Security
The tone of exhausted pragmatism—even among friends of the program—is counterproductive. It is beyond time to fight fire with fire.
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