Does Socialism mean Greater Equality? A Comparison of East and West along Several Major Dimensions

Abstract

If one word can be said to be associated with ‘socialism’, that word would most likely be ‘equality’ (Lukes, 1975, p. 74). This is not to say that socialism promises full equality. Even Marx’s vision of communism does not foresee that result. All invidious distinctions would end, but complete leveling — in an age where each receives according to need — would be patently absurd. However, the promise of greater equality than one finds in, say, a capitalist order, is definitely present.