On What Grounds Have Socialists Criticized the Liberal View of Equality?

On what grounds have socialists criticized the liberal view of equality?

Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. The liberal view of equality is based around the fact that everyone deserves to be born equally regardless of glass, gender or race. Everyone deserves the same fundamental rights opportunities in order to create a fully democratic society. Therefore, the support for equality of opportunity is right at the heart of liberal’s beliefs and manifesto but not the key paradigm of the Socialists.

Socialists believe that inequalities in wealth should be stamped out, because inequalities in wealth are a great evil as power corrupts absolutely and with wealth comes a natural capitalist view of power.

Socialists have traditionally had a stricter definition of equality ("equality of outcome") whereas liberals have had a looser definition of equality ("equality of opportunity). Socialists want equal distribution whereas liberals want equal access. Furthermore, Socialists feel there are inherent social, political and economic factors, which make equality of opportunity unattainable. They feel it is a weak form of equality, one that does not lead to real equality. However recent developments have led to some sectors of the socialist movement being more sympathetic to, and embracing of, the liberal view of equality.

Therefore, in conlusion, socialists want equal distribution whereas liberals want equal access. Furthermore, Socialists feel there are inherent social, political and economic factors, which make equality of opportunity unattainable. Therefore, the support for equality of opportunity is right at the heart of liberal’s beliefs and manifesto but not the key paradigm of the Socialists