Fairness Between Today’s Generations and Tomorrow’s
Intergenerational Equity
Policy decisions are frequently presented as issues of intergenerational equity. In some areas they clearly are, but others represent false dichotomies.
What Intergenerational Equity Means
Intergenerational equity is the concept of fairness or justice between generations. It applies to relationships between children, adults and seniors and between current and future generations. Questions of intergenerational equity are often invoked in deliberations about the national debt and foisting off current costs on subsequent generations. They also arise, among other areas, in connection with environmental concerns, particularly climate change and resource depletion.
False Choices Between Generations
As regards seniors in particular, policy issues are often unfairly posited as “zero-sum” choices between successive generations. Yet that is not necessarily the case. Medicare, Social Security and other earned benefits and federal assistance programs allow seniors to live independently, without unduly burdening their families. Enhancing the health and education of our children through federal programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is an investment both in our families and in the future of the country. The two are complementary, both supporting family, societal and moral values.
Sustainable Growth
Writ large, intergenerational equity is central to concepts of sustainable development. It does not necessarily mean hindering economic growth, but rather controlling the scope and pace of utilization of resources to preserve them over time.
