Reparations and Egalitarianism

Abstract Some claim that a commitment to egalitarianism is in tension with support for reparations historical injustice. This appears arise insofar as forward-looking approach justice: an tells us what kind of world we should aim build, where not defined terms the decisions or actions previous generations. have claimed thereby renders redundant (what I will refer redundancy thesis ). One popular option egalitarians who reject this insist injustices demand when they caused present-day inequality (the causal approach). A promising alternative, skilfully defended by Alasia Nuti Injustice and Reproduction History , argue stand need repair are reproduced into present-day, such some past present fact same In paper, assess these egalitarian responses thesis. find Nuti’s account equipped thesis, but lines reply can be adopted proponents approach. suggest both approaches therefore viewed potential ways conceptualise relationship between injustice our normative circumstances; choosing them, understand ourselves engaged ameliorative project – guided by, designed help achieve, legitimate purposes.