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Equality - what is it?

Lotus

I've always thought it would be good to have a more equal society. I don't understand why people think it's ok for some to be rich due to inherited wealth or because of the family they were born into or what school they attended or because they got 'famous'. I also don't understand why most people just seem to accept the fact that there is such a huge discrepancy between the highest paid and lowest paid workers. 

I'm a bit of a weirdo politics wise - I strongly support freedom and personal choice & independence, but I'm also a socialist in many ways as I believe a society should take care of its vulnerable members and I also like the idea of cooperatives and nationalised industries, where many benefit rather than a select few. I don't want to get into a politics debate, this is just to explain what some of my beliefs and ideas are behind my ponderings.

I know it's difficult to determine exactly what is meant by a fair and equal society. Is it fair that a doctor gets paid more than a builder? We need doctors, but we also need homes. Is it fair that someone gets paid loads because they are intelligent and got a law degree, while someone else with a lower IQ works two minimum wage jobs to just barely make ends meet? Should everyone be paid the same rate per hour?  Is it ok for some to live in tiny cramped flats while others live in huge houses and some have multiple homes?

I'm not expecting anything to change - I've accepted that the world is what it is. But just as a theoretical exercise, if human society were to be re-started how would you structure it to make things more equal? Or do you think there shouldn't be equality - that some should be rewarded more for things like having a degree or being skilled at acting or playing a sport?

Parents

  • ""Equality," I spoke the word as if a wedding vow

    Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

    In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand at the mongrel dogs who teach

    Fearing not that I'd become my enemy In the instant that I preach" - Bob Dylan

    Equality can be overdone. I think that I consider that a meritocratic system, not based on inherited wealth or position would be my ideal. With cast-iron protection for basic human rights, a functioning, well-funded welfare system and a health system free at the point of delivery. I think that those with wealth should be taxed proportionately more than those with less. The concentration of inconceivable wealth in the hands of of a tiny number plutocrats, like Elon Musk, is just obscene. If a middle way could be brought into existence, that incentivises and rewards hard work and innovation, but which gives everyone a reasonable level of comfort and freedom from stress about feeding themselves and having a roof over their heads, that would be the ideal.

Reply

  • ""Equality," I spoke the word as if a wedding vow

    Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

    In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand at the mongrel dogs who teach

    Fearing not that I'd become my enemy In the instant that I preach" - Bob Dylan

    Equality can be overdone. I think that I consider that a meritocratic system, not based on inherited wealth or position would be my ideal. With cast-iron protection for basic human rights, a functioning, well-funded welfare system and a health system free at the point of delivery. I think that those with wealth should be taxed proportionately more than those with less. The concentration of inconceivable wealth in the hands of of a tiny number plutocrats, like Elon Musk, is just obscene. If a middle way could be brought into existence, that incentivises and rewards hard work and innovation, but which gives everyone a reasonable level of comfort and freedom from stress about feeding themselves and having a roof over their heads, that would be the ideal.

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