7.1.6
Equality
Principle of Equality
Principle of Equality
Pursuing equality is a key goal of socialism. Equality for socialists is equally distributing wealth and income in society.
Socialists support equality
Socialists support equality
- Socialists argue in favour of social equality because:
- Social equality ensures fairness.
- Social equality reinforces the ideas of collectivism.
- Social equality ensures that basic human needs are satisfied.
- Social equality can benefit all individuals in society by increasing the life expectancy, happiness levels, reducing poverty and crime.
- Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson (2010 ‘The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone’) argued that societies with high inequality will experience lower living standards than those with less inequality.
Fairness
Fairness
- Socialists argue for social equality because it ensures fairness.
- Inequality is the result of the structural inequalities within a capitalist society instead of a difference in people’s ability.
- Socialists believe that people are born with the ability to be equal.
Collectivism
Collectivism
- Socialists argue that social equality reinforces the ideas of collectivism and co-operation within society because humans are more likely to work for a common economic good and exist peacefully if they have similar social and economic conditions.
- Socialists believe that social inequality encourages conflict between those in society.
Human needs
Human needs
- Equality ensures that basic human needs are satisfied through an equal distribution of wealth.
- Basic human needs cannot be achieved through a free-market economy where industry is driven by profit and so not able to fairly allocate wealth to all of society.
- From a socialist perspective, only the state and its ability to redistribute wealth will ensure everyone is able to have their basic needs satisfied.
Against social equality
Against social equality
- Social equality can lower the ambition of people by lessening the material incentives for hard work, which can result in economic underperformance.
- Social equality is unjust because treating all individuals as the same regardless of their performance fails to reward people based on their ability.
- Social equality limits the level of diversity in society.
- Social equality restricts individual liberties because the way social equality would be achieved is through increased state intervention.
Debates About the Nature of Equality
Debates About the Nature of Equality
An important debate within socialism is the extent to which equality socially and economically can and should be achieved. There are four arguments: absolute equality, equality of opportunity, outcome and welfare.
Revolutionary socialists
Revolutionary socialists
- Revolutionary socialists believe there should be complete equality for all in society both in material benefits and opportunities in life.
- Revolutionary socialists believe equality can only be achieved through the state controlling how goods and services are distributed, removing private property and having common ownership of all means of production.
Social democrats
Social democrats
- Social democrats aim to remove absolute poverty and achieve equality in society through welfare measures, government spending and a progressive tax system.
- If poverty can be abolished then a certain amount of inequality can be accepted.
- To achieve the abolition of poverty, the state’s role is to adjust distribution so that differences in wealth and life opportunities are reduced.
- Social democrats ultimately look to reform capitalism as opposed to abolishing it.
Equality of outcome
Equality of outcome
- Equality of outcome is when rewards are dependent on the contribution of an individual. Whilst some inequality will exist, the inequality won't be as significant as in a free market system.
- Fundamentalist socialists support equality of outcome as a means of removing the influence of the free market but other socialists such as Third Way and social democrats see this as artificial social and economic ‘levelling’.
Absolute equality
Absolute equality
- Absolute equality is the idea that all in society should gain the exact same rewards as long as they contribute to society. Each individual over time should make broadly the same level of contribution.
- Marxists support this approach but social democrats and Third Way socialists see this form of equality as impractical to achieve.
Equality of welfare
Equality of welfare
- Equality of welfare is the idea that while society will inevitably be unequal, all individuals have the right to equal minimum living standards and welfare provision which are provided by the state.
- Social democrats and Third Way socialists support this approach towards equality because it looks after the poorest in society, but Marxists reject it because it does not aim to remove capitalism.
Equality of opportunity
Equality of opportunity
- Equality of opportunity is the idea that everyone in society should be given an equal chance to make the most of their ability.
- Equality of opportunity is a system where everyone has the same opportunities with no barriers to prevent people progressing who work hard and have an ability.
- Social democrats and Third Way socialists support this approach to equality but Marxists oppose it because it does not aim to remove capitalism.
1Democracy & Participation
1.1Representative & Direct Democracy
1.2Wider Franchise & Suffrage
1.3Pressure Groups & Other Influences
2Political Parties
2.1How Political Parties Work
2.2Established Political Parties
2.3Emerging & Minor Political Parties
3Electoral Systems
3.1Different Electoral Systems
3.2Referendums & How They Are Used
4Voting Behaviour & the Media
5Conservatism
5.1Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles
5.2Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions
6Liberalism
6.1Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles
6.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism
7Socialism
7.1Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles
7.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism
8The UK Constitution
8.1Nature & Sources of UK Constitution
8.2Constitutional Change since 1997
8.3Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies
9The UK Parliament
9.1Houses of Parliament
9.2Comparative Powers
9.3Legislative Process
10The Prime Minister & the Executive
10.1The Executive
10.2Ministerial Responsibility
10.3Prime Minister & the Cabinet
10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister
10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers
10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers
10.3.4Role of the Cabinet
10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations
10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power
10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies
10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet
10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet
11Relationships Between Government Branches
11.1The Supreme Court
11.2Parliament & Executive Relations
11.3The European Union & the UK
11.4Sovereignty in the UK Political System
12US Constitution & Federalism
12.1Nature of the US Constitution
12.2Principles of the US Constitution
12.3Federalism
13US Congress
13.1Structure of Congress
13.2Functions of Congress
14US Presidency
14.1Presidential Power
14.2The Presidency
14.3Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency
15US Supreme Court & Civil Rights
15.1Nature & Role of Supreme Court
15.2Supreme Court Appointment Process
15.3The Supreme Court & Public Policy
15.4Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights
15.5Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court
16US Democracy & Participation
16.1Presidential Elections
16.2Electoral College
16.3Electoral Campaigns
16.4Incumbency
16.5Democrats & Republicans
16.6Internal Conflict & Ideology
16.7Support & Demographics
17Comparing Democracies
17.1Theoretical Approaches
17.2UK & USA Similarities & Differences
17.2.1Constitution: Nature
17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles
17.2.3Federal System & Devolution
17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government
17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government
17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions
17.2.7Executive
17.2.8Supreme Court
17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence
17.2.10Civil Rights
17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups
17.2.12Party Systems & Parties
17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups
17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US
17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA
18Feminism
18.1Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles
18.2Different Types of Feminism
19Nationalism
19.1Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles
19.2Different Types of Nationalism
Jump to other topics
1Democracy & Participation
1.1Representative & Direct Democracy
1.2Wider Franchise & Suffrage
1.3Pressure Groups & Other Influences
2Political Parties
2.1How Political Parties Work
2.2Established Political Parties
2.3Emerging & Minor Political Parties
3Electoral Systems
3.1Different Electoral Systems
3.2Referendums & How They Are Used
4Voting Behaviour & the Media
5Conservatism
5.1Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles
5.2Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions
6Liberalism
6.1Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles
6.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism
7Socialism
7.1Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles
7.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism
8The UK Constitution
8.1Nature & Sources of UK Constitution
8.2Constitutional Change since 1997
8.3Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies
9The UK Parliament
9.1Houses of Parliament
9.2Comparative Powers
9.3Legislative Process
10The Prime Minister & the Executive
10.1The Executive
10.2Ministerial Responsibility
10.3Prime Minister & the Cabinet
10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister
10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers
10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers
10.3.4Role of the Cabinet
10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations
10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power
10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies
10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet
10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet
11Relationships Between Government Branches
11.1The Supreme Court
11.2Parliament & Executive Relations
11.3The European Union & the UK
11.4Sovereignty in the UK Political System
12US Constitution & Federalism
12.1Nature of the US Constitution
12.2Principles of the US Constitution
12.3Federalism
13US Congress
13.1Structure of Congress
13.2Functions of Congress
14US Presidency
14.1Presidential Power
14.2The Presidency
14.3Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency
15US Supreme Court & Civil Rights
15.1Nature & Role of Supreme Court
15.2Supreme Court Appointment Process
15.3The Supreme Court & Public Policy
15.4Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights
15.5Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court
16US Democracy & Participation
16.1Presidential Elections
16.2Electoral College
16.3Electoral Campaigns
16.4Incumbency
16.5Democrats & Republicans
16.6Internal Conflict & Ideology
16.7Support & Demographics
17Comparing Democracies
17.1Theoretical Approaches
17.2UK & USA Similarities & Differences
17.2.1Constitution: Nature
17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles
17.2.3Federal System & Devolution
17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government
17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government
17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions
17.2.7Executive
17.2.8Supreme Court
17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence
17.2.10Civil Rights
17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups
17.2.12Party Systems & Parties
17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups
17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US
17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA
18Feminism
18.1Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles
18.2Different Types of Feminism
19Nationalism
19.1Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles
19.2Different Types of Nationalism
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