Introduction
The ideological right frequently argues that equality and freedom are irreconcilable virtues. From the standpoint of social justice, the two principles are relative to each other in any nation, ultimately affecting the country’s human rights preservation. The importance while relating these values indicates that they might be open to a qualitative study. It is possible to have both private property and equality in a state by developing measurable notions through a qualitative analysis of freedom and equality in their relatable aspect. Using examples from ancient and modern contexts, demonstrating their compatibility calls for the effectuation of freedom and equality of mind.
Equality and Freedom
Despite equality being a robust and global norm that can gain significant ground in a moral or political conflict, it can quickly fall short of facilitating calls for justice if it is not correctly stated. Since the beginning of time, equality has been acknowledged as a standard of social justice (Khan, 2021). Ensuring that each person has an equal chance to maximize their potential is what equality is all about. It is the idea that nobody should have worse life opportunities due to their birth circumstances, place of origin, religious beliefs, or physical or mental limitations (Khan, 2021). In this vision of social good, equality does, in my opinion, have some power, but status and avarice often trump it.
Relating to equality, freedom is a position of individuality when one is unrestricted by anybody and may do as one pleases. According to the principle of equality, all people are born free and equal (Khan, 2021). Freedom can even be referred to as a mental condition in which one is unfettered to do whatever comes to mind, thus, experiencing internal liberation. Contrary, humans have been found to have a general urge to rule others through a protracted sequence of surveys. It would be evident that those in positions of power are among the one percent who are more knowledgeable than the majority of people they rule. According to Saint-Simon writings, the universal beneficial authority should be disseminated according to each person’s level of awareness (Paci, 2022). The writings implore that everyone would be satisfied if society upheld democratic rights.
For society to be satisfied in all aspects, equality can only be found impactful when practiced. Practically making anything tenable calls for much dedication and focus while standing firmly with a goal. Everyone is fending for themselves in this God-given world, contributing to how society runs. The premise of equality is that every person is afforded similar rights and treatment. Everyone has the right to receive equal treatment. From the social perspective, those possessing large properties are expected to be higher than ordinary citizens. In truth, granting each of them equal respect and justice is what bears more weight for people. Not everyone desires property or status. Respect and justice are the core values of life. Besides, property is under the constraint of monetary value, unlike equality which, on the other hand, is virtuous. Understanding this will, in the eventuality, does help people understand the social core of living.
In the ancient context, modern bourgeois culture sprang from the wreckage of a feudal civilization due to the revolution. Marx states that class conflicts still exist in civilization, but they have changed due to the widening division of humanity into two opposing factions (Marx, 2020). Bourgeoisie had destroyed the bonds that held people to their masters because of their formerly adversarial orientation, and all existing connections between men got to be defined by self-interest entirely.
Still on the Communists manifesto, Marx argues that property ownership is not gained from the labor of workers, they do not in any ownership. Instead, the money they make is used to take advantage of them. In actuality, many laborers do not currently get things, but those who acquire something do not require current labor (Marx & Engels, 2019). This bourgeoisie-controlled property indicates a societal power rather than a personal one (Marx & Engels, 2019). Because of how the Communist theory undermines bourgeois freedom, it is despised by the bourgeois. Marx responds that uniformity is simply an apparent one. The Communist revolution has completely upended ownership relations. It should not sound surprising that fundamental shifts in conventional wisdom preceded it.
The social factors faced long ago are still the same in these modernized times, but only slightly twisted to fit in. Locke argues that since everybody is born with the ability to survive, it makes sense that they also have the claim to whichever resources nature provides for sustenance. This answers the question of man’s survival throughout history despite the overarching factors faced over time. God created the earth for humanity to use for their benefit, sustenance, and solace. According to Locke, all have a right to engage in physical and manual labor (Jones, 2019). Thus, God blesses the works of those who toil by helping them amass property due to their hard work. According to Locke, the same natural law that grants someone property right also forbids them from taking as much as they want (Jones, 2019). One can only acquire so much land because their labor can only be used to eat a little piece of it. Thus, modesty ought to constrain everyone.
Conclusion
Throughout history, and as God intended for man, people should reap what they sow. All people are uniquely blessed, which relates to their ability to work and fend for themselves and their families. Despite all this, peoples’ worth should scale not against monetary value but by how virtuous they are. It is through respect and honor that life bears true meaning. Owning private property does not mandate anyone to see others as any lesser of equal rights or status. Vices like greed, hate, and jealousy are all that restrain many societies from forging good relationships. It is necessary to ramp up efforts to advance equality and combat vices through statutes and institutions since doing so will build freedoms and liberties and equitable public narratives. Healthy relationships between people start with respect, which should be accounted for so that people may recognize equality in any society.
References
Jones, H. (2019). Property, territory, and colonialism: An international legal history of Enclosure.Legal Studies, 39(2), 187–203. Web.
Khan, M. M. (2021). Political state and the dilemma of dignity, equality and freedom: Evidence from a sovereign state.Dynamics of Politics and Democracy, 1(1), 29–37. Web.
Marx, K. (2020). Bourgeois and proletarians 1. Industrial Work and Life, 395–404. Web.
Marx, K., & Engels, F. (2019). The Communist Manifesto.Ideals and Ideologies, 243–255. Web.
Paci, D. (2022). The Saint-Simonian Vision of the Mediterranean. Mediterranean Europe(s), 20–36. Web.