How can we decide what the goals of public policy ought to be? Should equality or some other form of equity be a social goal? How might equity best be incorporated into public policy? The authors seek to clarify what we mean by equity and to assess the validity of the concept in its various forms. They argue for equality before the law and for welfare policies based on compassion for the poor, but conclude that policies that aim to equalise incomes or material wealth are misguided.

Dr Cathy Buchanan has taught philosophy at several universities in the United States. Peter Hartley is Professor of Economics at Rice University in Texas.