On the Conundrum of Inequality

The birth of inequality coincided with the emergence of unequal division of resources and their private possession. From the egalitarian point of view, unnatural inequality is bad, unfair and unjust. But from the libertarian or conser­vative point of views, certain forms of inequality are desirable on the grounds that they lead to individual progress and economic growth. Such argument is based on the assumption that capabilities and individual qualities when unevenly distributed can lead to “progress,” both for an individual and nation. From this viewpoint, even development of capacities and skill among the people would be considered as anarchic. Thus, absolute equality would count for anarchy.

In the liberal theory, there have been arguments recommending progressive minimisation of spheres of inequality. But what is significant is that in such theoretical arguments, the ­concept of equality plays an important role. Similarly, in such domains of inquiry, both the proposition and proposal to minimise inequality, which is internal to the liberal idea of equality, offer moral
defence of various forms of inequalities that are enduring.