Evaluating allocations of opportunities

This paper provides a robust criterion for comparing lists of probability distributions - interpreted as allocations of opportunities - faced by different social groups. Borrowing from decision making under objective ambiguity, we axiomatically argue in favour of comparing those lists of probability distributions on the basis of a uniform - among groups - valuation of their expected utility. We identify an empirically implementable criterion - extended zonotope inclusion - for comparing allocations of opportunities that coincide with the unanimity of all such uniform valuations of expected utility that exhibit aversion to inequality of opportunity. We illustrate our criterion by evaluating allocations of educational opportunities among castes and genders in 14 Indian states.