Optimal redistribution behind the veil of ignorance

Abstract

We propose a formalization of the Difference Principle (maximin) by which Rawls’ contribution is shown to go beyond distributive value judgments in such a way as to embrace efficiency issues as well. In our model, inequalities are shown to be permitted as far as they stimulate a greater effort in education (or training), and so economic growth. This is the only possibility for an income disparity to be unanimously accepted by both the most-, and above all, the least-advantaged individual. In this vein, we highlight the peculiarity of the Rawlsian equity-efficiency trade off behind the veil of ignorance. Finally, by recalling the old tradition of ‘universal ex-post efficiency’, we identify the set of Rawls-optimal social contracts, which is shown to be a subset of Pareto-optimal ones.