Intro:

·        Socialists see equality as a dominant ideal.

·        See full equality – where everyone reasons same amount of opportunities and benefits as a theoretical goal.

·        In practice, whilst striving to achieve as much equality as possible – realism determines that full equality for socialists is not a serious concern.

·        The serious concern is getting as close to that goal as possible.

Body:

·        Socialist system for equality is based on EQUALITY OF OUTCOME – where each person should have lifetime access to what they need including education, health, shelter, food and some form of wealth.

·        Anything that is surplus should be distributed based on MERIT, a ROTA, or RANDOMLY.

·        Requires a WELFARE MAXIMUM, as well as the needs-based welfare minimum, to ensure people do not gain an unfair outcome. This makes sure that people do not get too much, thereby causing inequality to others or a strain on resources, and also that people do not get too little, which is useless.

·        Requires the REPLACEMENT of the current system (capitalism) into a communist state. – This shows how difficult it would be to bring about equality – therefore some could argue although ideologically there is a concern for it, in reality, full equality is not a concern – merely the theoretical goal to aim towards.

·        OTHER CRITICISMS – where is the line drawn? – Should happiness be guaranteed?

·        Would productivity suffer? A guaranteed outcome, with an individual gaining a guaranteed wage means that any rational individual would not be working to their full potential, therefore working inefficiently.

·        If equality is the end, then are other means such as justice sacrificed? Some individuals may do the minimum requirement whilst others do overtime and extra work – should they both receive the same equality of outcome?? Is that not an inequality in attempting to achieve equality?

·        Workers between 1890-1914 were political mobilized against the bourgeoisie, having been a disorganised mass, through the use of ‘Vulgar Marxism’ and the goal of overthrowing bourgeoisie and achieving a communal, cooperative style of existence of equality – Thus equality is very important to roots of socialism.