Priority to the furthest behind, by Marc Fleurbaey (CDP Background Paper No. 42)

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Unit: Development Policy Branch (DPB), Committee for Development Policy (CDP)Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #10: Reduced inequalities

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. 

For more information on the CDP's work on "Leaving no one behind" go to: Leaving no one behind, poverty, human and social development |