The welfare economics of equal access

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Abstract

This paper discusses alternative definitions of equal access to a good and derives policy implications of the only definition that seems consistent with the literal meaning of access and not obviously inconsistent with the views of at least some people who say that they favor government action to reduce inequality of access to particular goods. Specifically, it considers what is necessary to achieve an efficient state and a state preferred by everyone to the situation in the absence of government action if individuals care about equality of access so defined. This is contrasted with the policy implications of a concern about inequality of consumption.

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Cited by (0)

We are grateful to Don Fullerton for a detailed critique and to referees of this journal and participants in seminars at the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the University of Virginia for comments that were helpful in revising the paper. Olsen gratefully acknowledges financial support from the National Institute of Mental Health in the form of a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. This experience stimulated his interest in the meaning and implications of a concern for equal access to particular goods.

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