Inkwell Institute

Professor’s Classroom

Subject:  Equality/Government/Political Philosophy

Paper  #7A

Note:  In my last paper, Equality–What Is It Good For?”, I omitted explaining where the different political ideologies stand on the subject…….I would like to correct that oversight on my part……..I would like to thank Andrew Heywood and his book “Political Ideologies” for the breakdown by political leanings……he gave a much better synopsis than I would have….and in fewer words……I like simple but informative….

When it comes to people what are their particular beliefs in the “institution” of equality……I am glad you asked…..

Liberals:  believe that people are born equal, in the sense of equal moral value….this implies formal equality, as well as the equality of opportunity.  Classical liberal thinking emphasizes the need for strict meritocracy and economic incentives—modern liberals argue that genuine equal opportunities require relative social equality.

Conservatives:  view society as naturally hierarchical and have dismissed equality as an abstract and unachievable goal.  Modern conservatives see a strongly individualist belief in equality of opportunity while emphasizing the economic benefits of material inequality.

Socialists:  regard equality as essential and a fundamental value and endorse social equality.  Regardless of shifts in type of socialism, equality is seen as necessary for the establishment of justice or equality, and the enlarging more freedom in a positive sense.

Anarchists:  stress political equality, as understood as equal and absolute right to personal autonomy, implying that all forms of political inequality amounts to oppression.

Fascists:  believe that all of humankind is marked by radical inequality, between leaders and followers and between various nations or races…..nevertheless, the emphasis on nation or race implies that all members are equal, in terms of their core social identity.

There you have the major political ideologies and how they view the idea of equality…..remember, also, that there are many sub-categories within these ideas and that some of the views are tweaked to reflect their view of the subject.

To be continued……Next…….Why Party Politics?