THE WELFARE ECONOMICS OF EQUAL ACCESS

This paper discusses alternative definitions of equal access to a good and derives policy implications of the only definition that seems consistent with the literal meaning of access and not obviously inconsistent with the views of at least some people who say that they favor government action to reduce inequality of access to particular goods. Specifically, it considers what is necessary to achieve an efficient state and a state preferred by everyone to the situation in the absence of government action if individuals care about equality of access so defined. This is contrasted with the policy implications of a concern about inequality of consumption. © 1991.