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I've recently wondered whether the equality of which we enjoy today is at all healthy. Now, I don't mean equality as in equal wealth, but an equal opportunity from the ground up. We can just about agree that we live in a society where everyone receives, relatively, the same education. They may attend pre-school, then compulsory elementary school, and then university if they wish to continue their studies. So we live in a meritocracy society. But I don't think equality has made us happier. In fact it seems to have made our lives more unhappy, more stressful, more prone to anxiety.
Why is this; because in a society where just about everyone is equal and more importantly has equal opportunity; people are constantly strangled by their impulse to be successful. This is because everyone has faith that since they have the opportunity, they can achieve it. It's what they call the 'American Dream'. And the more equal a people are, the more jealous they are of any wealth or objects they acquire. For instance, people are seldom envious of Bill Gates or the Queen. But if your neighbour buys a new fancy car, or your friend books an overseas holiday, or worst of all, your brother or sister get something, you will always be envious. This is because you feel them your equal, and by implication you feel you should get the same things they get.
Go back 200-250 years when social status was locked in place. Someone who occupied the lower rungs of society had always accepted that was where they were to stay. They did not have to worry about comparing the wealth, they were never stressed about whether they were successful enough. They knew where they were in the rungs of society and accepted that position.
We may have more things, and yet, we are still not happy.
Why is this; because in a society where just about everyone is equal and more importantly has equal opportunity; people are constantly strangled by their impulse to be successful. This is because everyone has faith that since they have the opportunity, they can achieve it. It's what they call the 'American Dream'. And the more equal a people are, the more jealous they are of any wealth or objects they acquire. For instance, people are seldom envious of Bill Gates or the Queen. But if your neighbour buys a new fancy car, or your friend books an overseas holiday, or worst of all, your brother or sister get something, you will always be envious. This is because you feel them your equal, and by implication you feel you should get the same things they get.
Go back 200-250 years when social status was locked in place. Someone who occupied the lower rungs of society had always accepted that was where they were to stay. They did not have to worry about comparing the wealth, they were never stressed about whether they were successful enough. They knew where they were in the rungs of society and accepted that position.
We may have more things, and yet, we are still not happy.
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