Journal Entries #1

There are certain words in political science that are termed "fire-breathing dragons" (freedom, order and equality among them) because they can mean many things to many people. Of course we all know what equality means at a basic level, but what does it mean in the American political system?

We also know that people are not actually equal in terms of talents, abilities, ambition, looks, money, and on and on. From the workplace to school some people have more status than others. We can become obsessed with comparing ourselves with others because the need for acceptance is so strong. As a culture, we are fascinated by celebrities and both raise them up and tear them down. (What's up with Kanye West this year anyway?) And in our high school example, certain high school groups have far less popularity and power within the social pecking order where inequality is an ever-present fact of life.

In a political sense, equality is covered in two broad areas: 1) having an equal voice in political decisions and 2) how the goods society has to offer are distributed. In other words, is everyone's voice heard when political decisions are made? Are the material and economic goods of society fairly distributed? In answer to the first question, in the American Political System having an equal say doesn't demand every citizen voting on whether the country should go to war or not go to war. Our elected representatives do that. One person, one vote is about electing representatives to decide policy. In terms of distributing the goods of society, equality isn't about everyone having an exactly equal share of material stuff. It does refer to whether people have the opportunity to go as far in life as their talents, abilities and desire for hard work will take them.

For an everyday example of equality of opportunity lets look at public education. Our country stresses equality of opportunity and one manifestation of equality of opportunity is public schools. The underlying idea behind equality of opportunity is giving everyone a more or less equal place at the starting line for the race of life. This doesn't demand that everyone finish that race at the same place, only that they have a fair start. Does that equal starting line exist? Some say yes, if students apply themselves. Others argue that unequal funding of public schools results in a different quality of education. For instance, generally rural school districts get less money than urban districts, and suburban districts more money than inner city schools. As one example among many, do students have textbooks they can take home to study or do they have to make due with reading textbooks during school time? With school districts increasingly turning to online classes during the

pandemic, do all students have access to the necessary computers and internet connections?