Sunday, June 11, 2006

Egalitarianism

The definition of egalitarianism is:

1 : a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic rights and privileges
2 : a social philosophy advocating the removal of inequalities among people

The egalitarian doctrine indicates that human are equal in fundamental worth or moral status. Equal opportunities in this school of thought means that a job offer is made to the person with the most merit, not based on sex, religion, or status.

Egalitarians also support an equality of wealth and income. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest obstacles to equality. This involves restricting our liberty. Some restrictions of liberty are worth their cost and equality may be one of these values that are strong enough to agree to a loss of freedom. It may be a compromise, trading in the individual freedom to earn money to better society. In this respect, it has the same view as socialism.

Even egalitarianists have to face the issue of how to determine which groups should be equalized. Is it determined by people in the same age bracket... or that it should be everyone is completely equal? Is the equalization global? But again, the egalitarian school of thought seems to be a utopia... the perfect world and not something that is ever achieveble.

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