Research On Theory Of Resource Equality

How to understand Equality is one of the themes of contemporary Political Philosophy. Since John Rawls proposed the theory of justice, polemics on the problem of equality have never boiled down. In this thesis, I focus my research on Ronald Dworkin's theory of resource equality, based on the Neo-Liberalists'dispute on equality.The theorists reached the consensus as follows: Equality is a fundamental principle in the process of distribution. What they differentiate is how to distribute so as to satisfy the request for equality. Dworkin believes that John Rawls's conception of justice on welfare is somewhat deficient, because it ignores the endeavor of social individuals. Dworkin also insists that Robert Nozick cares only individual endeavor. This makes him disable to see the contingency and randomicity of men's behavior which is caused by natural endowment and cultural environment. Dworkin then does his research on equality in resource distribution, which he believes is possible to solve the problems that Rawls and Nozick have no idea. In Dworkin's opinion, there must be something to guarantee that everyone in a liberated society can possess of equal share of resources. In essence, the viewpoint that we can solve the problem of equality in resource distribution is to ensure that what we share in resources at least embodies what we choose in everyday life, which is both fair and rational. This kind of distribution solves the problem of rights which is cared most by human beings. In such a mode, one makes choices according to what he got in resource distribution, which cares both individual endeavor and equal distribution and reached a rational fusion of the aforementioned two sides.There are altogether six parts in the thesis. In the introduction, I analyze the background of theory of resource equality. With the publication of A Theory of Justice in the 1970s, research on equality became the motif of contemporary political philosophy. Although all of them are the representatives of Neo-Liberalists, Rawls, Nozick and Dworkin dispute with each other on the problem of equality. Rawls and Nozick hold the poles of a magnet for each. The former insists that justice always means equality and that the most disbennifit deserves the most care and supporting from the whole society, while the latter believes that inequality does not means injustice, for individual right is sacrosanct, which can not be injured in reason of equality. However, Dworkin maintains on the one hand that equality is very important , which is the uppermost virtue; on the other hand that right is also vital. That is to say, Dworkin attempts to solve the inconsistency between equality and right.For this end, Dwokin proposes the theory of resource equality, which not only shows respect to individual right emphasized by classical liberalists and also assures the requirement of those who needs equality in the sense of Rawls's philosophy. Thus, Dworkin's theory inspires people to keep a positive life attitude which makes one cherish his life and at the same time, this theory insures that every social member is endowed with equal care and treatment. In the first chapter, I introduce that theory of right which is the basis of the theory of resource equality. After differentiate all kinds of rights, Dworkin advances that we must deal with right seriously. He then emphasizes that it is important to pay attention to human dignity and political equality, for these two conceptions help to unite the conceptions of right and equality tightly. With this logic, Dworkin concludes that equality is so important that to treat people equally is the uppermost virtue in society. Moreover, by comparing individual right and collective right, and by contrasting general principles and policies, Dworkin thinks that right is superior to the other conceptions, because he finds that policies is not used to speak for some group but have to be based on individual right. Such a viewpoint supplies theoretical foundation for opposing the difference principle which benefits more for those who get the least interests. Also this viewpoint prefers to resource equality which shows respect to each person's choice and endeavor. Since individual right is superior to collective aim, Dworkin's idea limits national power in some degree, which not only avoids the enlargement of national power, but also shows equal concern to every person.In the second chapter, I explore the main content of theory of resource equality. The theory of resource equality must recur to an ideal market mechanism, which can only locate on a desolate island. In order to distribute resources equally, we have to begin from auction. Comparing Rawls's welfare equality which actually is equality on results, Dworkin's resource equality is equality on beginnings. After that, Dworkin makes the equal distribution of resources by means of taxation, insurance and so on. The most important contribution of Dworkin's theory is that he emphasizes the significance of duty in distribution. After the equal resource distribution, each person has to take fully responsibility for his own choice, because his choice is made not by the others'plans and drawings, but by his own will according to what he got in the equal distribution of resources. In this sense, it is Dworkin who puts the conception of duty in egalitarian theory detailedly for the first time. His idea in fact is to request the principle of individual responsibility to be accepted in the egalitarian theory of justice. Thus, the theory of resource equality achieves the following goal: respecting human being's moral equality, abating the randomicity of natural endowment and social culture, and taking on the duty concerning out own choice. Therefore, although such kind of distribution allows inequality in some degree, it is still a just mode.In the third chapter, I analyze the relation of equality and liberty within the framework of resource equality theory. It is another point that makes Dworkin's theory outstandingly: he does a particular treat with the relation of freedom and equality. Usually, philosophers appeal to choose freedom when they find there is contradiction between freedom and equality. While Dworkin believes that there is no contradiction between freedom and equality; if there was, we should pay more attention to equality.In the fourth chapter, I discuss the theoretical value of resource equality by comparing Dworkin with Rawls and Nozick. The aforementioned three characters share different ideas on definition and principle of justice, right and duty, and the way reaching equality as well. With the comparison, we can find firstly that the theoretical value of resource equality endows equality a higher position than before and causes a deeper concern on equality in political philosophy; secondly that our life is given more positive meaning, valuable sense and duty; finally that the theory of resource equality supplies us a new thinking mode by means of suppositional market, which owns practical meaning somewhat.In the last chapter, I explore the practical meaning that the theory of resource equality embodies according to my analysis on the building of a harmonious society in China. We are currently working hard for a harmonious society in China, in which the problem of equality plays a key role.Considering the reality of our society, the most important problems on equality are those concerning on the gap between cities and villages, on region difference and on income discrepancy. I do believe that there will be great practical significance in solving the aforementioned problems via the theory of resource equality. In my opinion, there are at least three aspects that the theory of resource equality inspires us. Firstly, we should realize that equal care and respect is a kind of rights that each person is deserved to attain. We need to advance our consciousness on rights according to the idea of resource equality theory. Secondly, the theory of resource equality helps us to think deeply about the problem that how to carry out institutional justice to the greatest extent, for institution is the key point to achieve social justice. Thirdly, it helps us to realize that equality should be gained by means of redistribution, for justice is not only a theory, but a social praxis. A just society is one that can help those who need help most. Actually, Dworkin's theory is to argue that equality is ought to be achieved by means of redistribution, which can not only supply an opportunity to those who are lack of internal ambition, but also serve a safeguard for those who are short of natural gift.