Egalitarianism

Abstract

AbstractEgalitarianism is a body of thought in political philosophy. At the most basic level egalitarians believe that people should be treated in the same way or as equals in some respect. However, equality is an essentially contested concept. There is no uncontroversial account of the meaning of equality or of how it should be implemented. On a narrow understanding of equality, the state should simply guarantee equal political and legal rights and secure equal opportunities. On broader understandings, the state should implement more substantive equality, though there are different views about exactly what should be equalized: resources, welfare, capabilities, or opportunities for welfare or advantage. Despite these differences, almost all modern western political theory, contemporary politics, and culture is underpinned by a belief in equality of some sort. The core idea underpinning these beliefs is that of the fundamental moral worth and dignity of all individuals, that each individual is worthy of equal concern and respect. With the exception of those who believe in hierarchies of class, caste, race, ethnicity, or gender and in preferential treatment for those groups, moral equality between people constitutes an “egalitarian plateau” for all contemporary political theory.