Woolf, Nelson, and Shine
2005 SWPSA Annual Conference
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There has been calm, and there has been conflict; there have been advances and retreats.
The historical struggle over equality traces a pattern that seems to have no end,”
vii
and
while we look forward to more advances than retreats, as long as the human race remains
flawed we can expect conflict.
THE MEANING OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
Economic status impacts everyone in society, and legal statues regarding it can
range anywhere from regressive tax policies to state-sponsored childcare. In a sense,
institutional economic equality is the most important type of equality, because unlike
gender and race policies, it is not significantly affected by society—monetary laws affect
every citizen and are easier to enforce.
The definition of economic equality can be
divided into two basic areas: equality of actual condition and equality of opportunity.
According to Carver, equality of actual condition—perfect uniformity in economic and
social status for all citizens—is a somewhat nebulous definition that has yet to be fully
realized.
viii
This would be difficult to achieve at best and disastrous at worst, generating
unrest among those who felt the promise of equality was not delivered. A second and
more fully developed, if not contentious, definition of economic equality is that of
equality of opportunity.
This definition of equality states that everyone is given a fair chance for the
“pursuit of happiness.” There is no guarantee that they will achieve their desired goals;
merely that they will have a level playing field from which to pursue these goals.
ix
D.A.
vii
Verba, Sidney and Orren, Gary R. 1985. “The Meaning of Equality in America.” Political Science
Quarterly (100:3).
viii
Carver, T.N. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 39, No. 3, (May, 1925), 474.
ix
Schaar, John H. Journal of Politics, Vol. 26, No. 4, (Nov., 1964), 870.
Convention