My
presentation delineates the position of equality in Marxism by
comparing
Marxist concept of equality with that of egalitarian liberalism.
Marxist’s
vision of post-capitalist society. Post-capitalist society is a
communist one
where the means of production are socially owned.
Left
liberal’s vision of post-capitalist society. Post-capitalist
society is an
egalitarian one, such as property-owning democracy.
John
Rawls: Property-owning democracy. Is Rawls a Socialist?
Left
liberals: “Equality of what?” debate.
Left-libertarianism
and Egalitarian liberalism. External and internal assets.
J.
Roemer and K. Nielsen: Egalitarianism.
Communism
is more equal than capitalism.
The
problem
•What
is the relationship between equality
and community?
•Does
equality always promote community?
•When
equality and community come into
conflict, which takes precedence?
Equality
in Marxism
1.Equalization
and socialization
In a
communist society, productive assets
and means of consumption are not equally owned by individuals but
are placed
under social ownership.
2.
Equality of opportunity and equality of conditions
Communist
society prioritizes equality of conditions over equality of
opportunity. The
reason for choosing equality of conditions is not rooted in
egalitarianism but
communism.
3.
Equality and alienation
Radical
egalitarianism encourages individualism and does not solve the
problem of
alienation.
4.
Inequality of conditions in communist society
As
individuals in a communist society find their highest
self-realization in
contributing to society even if their condition is lowered from
the average,
inequality of conditions might occur; however, correcting
inequality is
unnecessary.
Conclusion
Thus,
Marxism supports egalitarianism as far as it contributes to
communism but
prioritizes communism in situations where egalitarianism and
communism conflict
with each other.
Marxism
is not radical egalitarianism in this sense.