Substantive Inequality In Society

There should be a great amount of substantive equality in society, but not too much. Firstly, formal equality is not enough. Secondly, substantive equality eliminates discrimination giving everyone equal opportunities and results. Lastly, too much substantive equality leads to a dystopian society which is shown in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut.

The generalized definition of equality “implies similarity, not sameness” (quoted in Wood, 3, 3) Many people are confused on what equality really means, as well as the many forms of equality.

Inequality is exhibited around society as people are not always given a fair opportunity than others which should be the opposite. In order for people to be treated equally, society must treat other unequally. For example if there were two schools, a rich school and a poor school who both needed money for books it would make more sense to give the poor school more money. If formal equality was used in this situation, both schools would get the same amount of money. Still, this would make the poor school unequal to the rich school because the more privileged school has more money than the poor school. By treating the poor school unequally and giving said school more money than the rich school, it gives both schools the opportunity to become equal as both schools would now have the money to buy new books. Different people can contribute and help evolve society when given opportunities. Many people have potential and can do great things in the world, but if nobody ever gives them an opportunity how are they supposed to exhibit their full potential. The authors of “The Poverty of Equality” addresses this situation: “...[limiting people] on the success [they] are allowed to achieve with their own talents and abilities makes everyone worse off, because it deprives society of the benefits of their brilliance and beauty and skill and talent” (quoted in Ferrara, 28). This being

Throughout life people are competing with others for the same thing(s). This being said, people in society carry different abilities and talents that some may not have, nonetheless it is what makes society similar. Harrison Bergeron’s society has lead people to mask their capabilities in order to make society equal. By treating others unequally and masking their abilities, it let 's society become equal. Before the short story the author describes this society “that has created a system of handicaps for all its citizens (where) everyone must be reduced to the lowest common denominator… in the pursuit of equality for all, do we guarantee inequity the most?” (quoted in Vonnegut, 369) As the story goes on it creates an ironic atmosphere. This society is trying to make everyone similar, whereas being different is actually what makes people in society similar. Due to this diversity, it allows everyone to showcase their own individual talents making everyone different, but in the end makes us equal to one another because it gives everyone something unique about them. Some would say being similar is better than being exactly alike. Variety in the world is what society needs to grow, and is a necessity for people to express their individual attributes. “Substantive equality wants an equal outcome, not unequal treatment when in competition. Rather