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IPFS News Link • Philosophy: Socialism

There Is No Such Thing as Equality, and Thank Goodness

• https://fee.org, by Brittany Hunter

Typically, Hayek's chapter titles leave nothing to the imagination. But as I encountered the "Who, Whom" title of chapter eight in The Road to Serfdom, I had to do a doubletake. 

Having the modern luxury of Google at my fingertips, I soon learned that Hayek's title was actually a Bolshevist slogan made popular by Lenin in the 1920s. It was later shortened by Leon Trotsky who used it in his article titled Towards Capitalism or Towards Socialism?

"Who, Whom" refers to the overall question of who will overtake whom. Or, put differently, which ideology will survive: socialism or capitalism.

But what was most unfortunate about this slogan was the corresponding propaganda campaign that was used by these socialists to entice followers to join their ranks; it all became about class struggle and equality. But what socialists view as equality and what equality really means in the marketplace are two entirely different beliefs.

Those who believe in the power of markets believe that true equality comes from each individual's ability to equally pursue his or her dreams without fear of intervention from a governing authority.


www.universityofreason.com/a/29887/KWADzukm