Tolerable Inequality According to Radical Egalitarians

Maurizio Bovi

Chapter Chapter 3 in The Dual Challenge of Tolerable Economic Inequality, 2025, pp 23-30 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Strict egalitarians argue that economic inequality is not merely unfortunate but inherently unjust. While they do not claim that individuals are equal in every respect, they regard the principle of human equality as a moral imperative guiding both interpersonal and institutional behavior. Emphasizing the need for meaningful redistribution, they advocate for systemic changes aimed at minimizing disparities in outcomes. Critics of strict egalitarianism argue that it is impractical, potentially disrupting economies and discouraging individual effort. They also contend that it may limit personal freedom, particularly the ability to accumulate wealth and make autonomous choices. By focusing primarily on equality of outcomes, strict egalitarianism risks overlooking merit and desert; moreover, the policies required to enforce equality could lead to bureaucratic overreach and excessive state control, thereby infringing on individual liberties.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-97066-5_3

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