Re: Jacob Wheeler (3/24/10)

Q1:Given that egalitarianism is meant to provide equal opportunities to everyone, why is it so central in governmental thinking?
Q2:More precisely, can government exist in an egalitarian society?

In response to your most recent blog post, you have brought up many thoughts and ideas that I had also had in common with you. Within the definition of Egalitarianism, one of the main concepts is that everyone is created equal economically, politically, socially, and also in regards to civility. However I believe that having an egalitaristic government would perhaps create some problems if not executed properly. When I thought about a government that is most likely Egalitarian, I though of a communist government such as in Russia. Communism is stated as a social structure in which classes are abolished and property is commonly controlled, as well as a political philosophy and social movement that advocates and aims to create such a society. So for example everyone is also equal, making the same amount of money, living in the same type of house, working normal jobs, and there are no social classes. But is this type of government ideal? Generally speaking, I truly believe and Egalitarian government like this would not succeed in a country such as in America that is highly democratic or any democratic country at all. Also from a personal standpoint, I understand the concepts and the basics of Egalitarianism and since in a communist government which is Egalitarian and everyone is equal, what if a handful of citizens within the government did not work or did nothing at all such as in the case of welfare, in which some citizens take advantage of governmental programs. What if some citizens in this type of government basically took advantage such as in the case of the example stated above. Also on the other hand, what if there were a handful of citizens within this same type of government who worked extremely hard and earned advanced degrees such as an M.D (medical) or a J.D (Juris Doctorate;Law), does this seem fair that these citizens earn the same salary as someone who has no education at all? However to fully answer your last question I strongly believe that an Egalitarian Government would not work within a government, thus democracy would be the ideal fit.