Which of these ideas - equality of opportunity or equality of condition - more accurately describes the United States?

Equality of opportunity describes a situation in which everyone has an equal chance to achieve wealth and social prestige because the rules are the same for everyone. Some players begin the game of life at a great advantage, but no one may “cheat” or change the rules once the game starts.

Equality of condition describes a situation in which everyone begins the game at the same starting point. No one begins with advantages. If a real society wants to accomplish this, its government should develop policies to help disadvantaged groups catch up with advantaged groups.

Here is the question: which of these ideas — equality of opportunity or equality of condition — more accurately describes the United States? Please also include one paragraph explaining which of these ideas you believe to be more fair.

To answer this question, please refer to 1) the Pew report on economic mobility and 2) “Why Is the United States So Different?” in You May Ask Yourself, pages 399-402.

(If you would like more details on equality of opportunity and equality of condition, you can also choose to refer to pages 247-248 of You May Ask Yourself.)

This field report should be 1.5 pages long,