The Declaration of Independence versus Egalitarianism

 As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, two main interpretations arise: one from establishment conservatives and another from progressive egalitarians. Both these perspectives are critiqued for misunderstanding the essence of the Declaration, particularly regarding the idea of "equality. " The text argues that these interpretations empower a strong centralized state and promote forms of legal inequality akin to slavery itself.

1. Misinterpretation of Equality:

• Many claim that since not everyone was treated equally at the time of the Declaration (notably regarding slavery), a powerful state is necessary to achieve modern notions of equality.

• This shifts the Declaration from being a document advocating for individual liberties to a justification for extensive government power.

2. Distinction Between Types of Equality:

• The Declaration embodies a Lockean natural rights theory, asserting that all individuals have inherent rights that government must protect.

• Jefferson’s idea of “equality” refers to equality of liberty and equality under the law, not the egalitarianism that seeks to enforce uniformity in status or outcomes.

3. Critiques of Historic Slavery:

• Critics point out the hypocrisy of proclaiming liberty while practicing slavery; however, they often overlook that the Continental Congress lacked the power to abolish slavery.

• The Declaration itself was a reflection of the colonies’ decision to sever ties with Britain and did not have the authority to create policies regarding slavery.

4. Conservative and Progressive Views:

• Progressives use the presence of slavery to discredit the Declaration, while conservatives see it as an unmet ideal that justifies a powerful centralized government.

• Both perspectives overlook the Declaration's true spirit, which advocates for freedom and limited government, not a powerful state enforcing equality.

5. Inconsistencies in Achieving Equality:

• The Declaration's ideals reflect a critique of slavery, advocating for rights that exist independently of the government.

• Although slavery is an evident moral failure, the Declaration critiques this injustice from a framework that does not support legal inequalities, even under egalitarian aims.

6. Centralization and Legal Castes:

• Egalitarian policies can create legal castes where individuals are treated differently based on group identities rather than as equal citizens.

• Government interventions meant to provide equality can lead to repeated cycles of intervention, further expanding state power.

7. Natural Rights and Liberty:

• The Declaration emphasizes individual rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which cannot be transferred or surrendered.

• Slavery contradicts these principles since it denies the right to self-ownership.

8. Egalitarianism as a Threat:

• The pursuit of enforced equality through state intervention creates a contradiction: the more the government aims to correct perceived inequalities, the more unchecked power is accumulated.

• Both slavery and egalitarianism involve coercive state controls but represent different ethical errors.

The Declaration of Independence represents a foundational document emphasizing individual liberty and equality before the law. The misinterpretation of its messages by both progressive and conservative factions undermines its commitment to limiting state power and upholding natural rights. Upholding the principles of the Declaration means rejecting the drive toward enforced egalitarianism that could mirror the injustices of slavery, instead advocating for a society where all individuals are regarded as equal and free. The argument stands that the idea of “equality” necessitates freedom, not state control or legal classifications that divide citizens into castes based on group identity. 

https://mises.org/mises-wire/declaration-independence-versus-egalitarianism