Against Equality

Editor's Note: The video based on this essay can be found here.

Equality is somewhat of a sacred value for the Left. To even suggest that all individuals or groups might not be equal is tantamount to heresy within the progressive paradigm. Given that the drive for equality constitutes a major part of the Left’s destructive agenda, this concept is certainly worthy of consideration.

While Christianity certainly introduced egalitarian elements into Europe, the Enlightenment marks the beginning of the fetishization of equality. This 18th century intellectual movement – which led to the French and American revolutions – marked a departure from traditional hierarchy, such as monarchy and church authority, in favor of more democratic forms of social organization.

The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal." This was not intended to mean that all men are of equal ability, but rather that all men deserve equal rights under the law. Still, the fact that the Founding Fathers owned African slaves proves that this form of equality was heavily conditional, and certainly did not apply to all.

Most people today will concede that all individuals are not, in fact, equal in ability. However, a funny thing happens when you switch to the group level. To imply that groups – racial or ethnic groups – vary in ability, skill, and characteristics is to commit the highest blasphemy within the progressive cult.

The fetishization of equality has also affected the modern society treats group outcomes. The Founding Fathers intended legal equality to create a meritocracy, ensuring that the best and brightest in society would be able to achieve their potential, regardless of their social standing.

However, equality of opportunity is not enough for progressives. They demand equality of outcome. With the dogmatic, a priori assumption that all groups possess the same ability, skill, and characteristics, the Left believes that any inequality in group success rates is due to racism, homophobia, sexism, or some other -ism.

The reality, of course, is that decades worth of IQ research has proven that there are intelligence differences between sexes and ethnic groups. And, as any honest social scientist would tell you, there is a significant correlation between IQ and social success. But all of this is thrown out the window for the sake of equality.

All of this begs the question: why should equality be such a priority?

The Left would have you believe that equality is synonymous with social justice, but that isn’t the case whatsoever. In fact, a completely equal society would be terribly oppressive. Imagine a society in which doctors and dishwashers receive the same paycheck. One requires a massive investment of time, money, and energy, while the other merely requires you to have two hands.

Moreover, the fact of the matter is that people and groups are not equal. Inequality and hierarchy are part of the natural order. You can believe in one god, many gods, or the forces of nature, but the point remains that inequality is a defining aspect of this reality.

With that in mind, I think it’s time for us to let go of our nearly 300-year-long obsession with equality.