Fairness

Fairness takes on many forms, and we may apply the concept of fairness to how people and organizations are judged. We even have different ideas about what it means for fairness to be achieved. Perceived fairness is not determined only by how resources are distributed. We can better understand how fairness is perceived by subdividing into three categories: procedural, interactional, and distributive justice.

How we decide what is just and fair is rooted in moral thinking. Different opinions on justice and fairness can stem from different values and how those values are applied. A leading theory in moral psychology is Moral Foundations Theory. This framework asserts that all people have the same six moral foundations (building blocks from which they form their moral worldview).

Many local governments are grappling with the concept of “equity” in budgeting. Equity is one interpretation of fairness or justice. A central theme in debates about fairness and justice is equality versus equity.

Making decisions in groups is an integral part of a public finance officer’s job. However, group decision-making tends to have unique and predictable shortcomings that threaten to derail decision-making on everything from staff meetings to budget discussions with the public.

As finance officers work with senior administrators and elected officials to make public finance decision-making fairer, they will need to influence how government functions. Improving the way government functions depends on changing the perspectives of those involved. To achieve improvements in a budgeting process, enhance public opinion/participation, or similar goals, individuals involved will need to adapt their position on certain issues or understand new perspectives. This involves persuasion and/or negotiation.

We can think of people at the political extremes as being more sensitive to how government policy matches or does not match their moral values. Thus, understanding the moral concerns behind their opposition and distrust will be needed to have productive conversations or reach mutually agreeable resolutions.