Not Fair

“Not Fair is a fresh, broad, and insightful evaluation of the state of inequality in Canada and how to address it. What makes it fresh (and, therefore, insightful) is its emphasis on elements of inequality that have played only minor roles in prior evaluations. The emphasis on wealth and capital income is particularly timely and important given the state of the housing market, and is something largely missing from prior, income-focused evaluations. Equally important is the insight that seeking greater equality of opportunity (and, thereby weakening the links in income and education outcomes across generations) will involve some people falling down as well as others moving up. That possibility would be sure to increase stress and to generate a political backlash, especially when the social safety net is not strong enough. All in all, I highly recommend this book, both to help fill in gaps in our knowledge and as a source of new insights.” - David A. Green , Professor of Economics, Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia

“In this thought-provoking book, using Canada as a backdrop, Professor Osberg presents a rigorous critique of inequality of opportunity in capitalist societies, revealing how ownership, inheritance, and structural forces shape who gets ahead. He explores the tension between aspirations for upward mobility and the fear of falling behind in an increasingly unequal world. Clear, concise, and grounded in policy, the book challenges orthodoxy and makes a powerful case for rethinking fairness and equality of opportunity.” - D.S. Prasada Rao , Professor Emeritus of Economics, The University of Queensland

“Lars Osberg combines a fine understanding of the principles of equality of opportunity with a deep knowledge of the Canadian income distribution to produce a dynamic picture of economic and social reality in Canada. Sociologists will prize its class analysis and economists will admire how economic policy comes alive in the author’s treatment. Osberg’s work on inequality and inequity in an advanced capitalist society should not be missed. The discussion of inheritance and estate taxation is a case in point.” - John E. Roemer , Elizabeth S. and A. Varick Stout Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Economics, Yale University

“Lars Osberg has written an outstanding book on the inequality of economic opportunity in Canada. The focus is on economic “fairness.” Since the late 1990s a literature has emerged in economics to distinguish between “fair” and “unfair” economic inequalities in modern societies. The book admirably succeeds in addressing this challenge by including many new issues now missing from these discussions, discussing why and how they matter, and proposing policies to actually expand the equality of opportunity in Canada.” - Edward N. Wolff , Professor of Economics, New York University