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Priority to the furthest behind

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  • Marc Fleurbaey

Abstract

The UN Resolution heralding the Sustainable Development Goals pledges to leave no one behind, and moreover “to reach the furthest behind first”. This priority echoes the priority to the worst-off that is being discussed in philosophy, economics and related disciplines, but also the pleas of many actors who represent or fight for the most disadvantaged populations. This paper argues that serious theories do support such a priority and that the best policies implementing this priority do not necessarily involve the most intuitive anti-poverty targeted measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Fleurbaey, 2018. "Priority to the furthest behind," CDP Background Papers 042, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.
    • Handle: RePEc:une:cpaper:042
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fleurbaey,Marc & Maniquet,François, 2011. "A Theory of Fairness and Social Welfare," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521715348, October.
    2. Samuel Scheffler, 2005. "Choice, circumstance, and the value of equality," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 4(1), pages 5-28, February.
    3. Basu, Kaushik, 2006. "Globalization, poverty, and inequality: What is the relationship? What can be done?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 1361-1373, August.
    4. Fleurbaey, Marc, 2012. "Fairness, Responsibility, and Welfare," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199653591.
    5. International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP),, 2018. "Rethinking Society for the 21st Century," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781108423144, October.
    6. Ravallion, Martin, 1990. "On the coverage of public employment schemes for poverty alleviation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 57-79, November.
    7. Tuomala, Matti, 2016. "Optimal Redistributive Taxation," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198753414.
    8. Marc Fleurbaey & Bertil Tungodden, 2010. "The tyranny of non-aggregation versus the tyranny of aggregation in social choices: a real dilemma," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 44(3), pages 399-414, September.
    9. Subramanian,, 2006. "Rights, Deprivation, and Disparity: Essays in Concepts and Measurement," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195676433.
    10. Fleurbaey, Marc, 1995. "Equal Opportunity or Equal Social Outcome?," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(1), pages 25-55, April.
    11. Jayaraj, D. & Subramanian, S., 2010. "Poverty, Inequality, and Population: Essays in Development and Applied Measurement," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198067948.
    12. Klasen, Stephan, 2008. "Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction: Measurement Issues using Income and Non-Income Indicators," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 420-445, March.
    13. International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP),, 2018. "Rethinking Society for the 21st Century," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781108436342, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Geranda Notten & Fatima Tuz Zohora & Charles Plante & Rachel Laforest, 2022. "Two decades of poverty reduction politics in Canada:Better for single parent families and single working age adults?," Working Papers 2203E Classification-I31,, University of Ottawa, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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