Egalitarian Interventionists: Why Politicians Love “Equality”

 The term "equality" is often viewed as an unquestionable good in modern Western society, especially in America, where it's considered part of the national identity that "all men are created equal. " However, the concept is complex and heavily debated among politicians and scholars.

1. Definition and Usage of Equality: Politicians appreciate "equality" because it seems just, is difficult to define, and is hard to achieve. It can refer to fairness before the law or broader concepts like egalitarianism which includes “equality of outcome” or “equality of opportunity. ”

2. Rule of Law vs. Egalitarianism: Equality before the law aims for impartiality in justice but is often opposed to egalitarian principles, which seek equal outcomes and may require treating individuals unequally to achieve these ends.

3. Human Nature and Scarcity: Human diversity and individuality make true equality nearly impossible. According to scholars like Rothbard, true equality would mean complete uniformity among individualsa situation devoid of personal characteristics and creativity.

4. Perception of Equality by Politicians: Many politicians might favor the idea of "equality" because it allows them to justify state interventions, claiming that disparities in society reflect injustices. This allows them to position themselves as defenders of justice while perpetuating a system where they hold significant power.

5. Statistical Measures of Inequality: Statistical measures can drive political agendas, as any observed difference is seen as an injustice that requires correction, justifying continued state intervention and power acquisition.

6. Historical Context and Consequences: Historical attempts to accomplish egalitarianism often resulted in greater state control and oppression rather than genuine equality. Figures like Mao in China believed that continuous revolution was necessary to create an egalitarian society, which often led to tragedy and hardship.

7. The Irony of Equality in Governance: Achieving equality often necessitates a powerful elite to enforce fairness through coercive means, ironically leading to increased inequality of power and privilege among individuals.

The pursuit of egalitarianism, often cloaked in the language of "equality," cannot be realized without significant societal and legal consequences. Politicians exploit the notion of equality to justify their power and actions, yet the reality is that not only is true equality unachievable in diverse societies, but striving for it may enable greater inequality through state intervention. The dilemma of balancing rule of law and egalitarian ideals remains a contentious issue in political discourse. 

https://mises.org/mises-wire/egalitarian-interventionists-why-politicians-love-equality