Program evaluation and inequality: on the need for social equity impact analysis

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of growing inequality of income and resource distribution among different sectors of society in the United States -with some additional reference to Latin America as well. It presents data demonstrating both the significant increase in inequality of income and resource distribution, as well as the lack of adequate government efforts to address this issue. It also examines how the utilization of the tax system in the United States serves to further contribute to the growth and inequality of income and resource distribution.

The paper then focuses on the emergence of program evaluation as an area of government activity in the United States. It goes on to provide illustrations of different types of program evaluation and policy analysis that have been carried out at the state level in the United States -pointing out various types of policy impact analysis that are currently in use. It is then proposed that in order to more effectively deal with issues of inequality and social equity, governments should initiate social equity impact analyses. It is further noted that while evaluation efforts are some times complicated by the difficulties of assessing causal relationships, never the less, the same techniques and methodologies used for program evaluation generally can be utilized to assess social equity issues.