Dr Bryce Wilkinson: When is equal unfair and when is it fair?

For many today, inequality is a dragon that public policy must slay. The accusing fingers usually point at unequal outcomes for selected things, such as income and diversity representation. But unequal outcomes in other dimensions may be celebrated; women dominate as primary school teachers, for instance.

So, when is equal unfair, and when is it fair?

Chris Trotter: Fair Enough!

DOING THE GREATEST GOOD for the greatest number has long been the ethical rule-of-thumb for New Zealand politicians. At least, that is how they would argue if challenged to justify their own, or their government’s, actions. What’s more, if they present their crudely utilitarian arguments with sufficient force, then most New Zealander’s will nod decisively, and bestow upon them that supreme Kiwi benediction: “Fair enough!”