What is Pre-distribution: Policy Agenda and Philosophical Conceptions

Abstract

The idea of “pre-distribution” has been discussed by politicians and researchers as a new approach to distributive policy after the 2008 global financial crisis. The gist of the idea is to realize social and economic equality through ex-ante distribution rather than through traditional tax-and-transfer model of distribution. The debate about pre-distribution concerns both practical policy-oriented questions of “what policies we should pursue” as well as more philosophical question of “what policies qualify as pre-distribution.” This paper critically examines the approach of pre-distribution touching on both these aspects. I would argue that the most promising way to understand the approach is to connect it to the normative visions of property-owning democracy and transitional theory articulated by John Rawls. It is shown that these philosophical frameworks are helpful in pursuing the approach of pre-distribution in a practically and normatively appealing way.