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Political egalitarianism describes an inclusive and fair allocation of political power or influence, fair processes, and fair treatment of all regardless of characteristics like race, religion, age, wealth or intelligence.[1][2] Political egalitarianism, and its close cousin political equality, are key founding principles and sources of legitimacy for many democracies.[1] Related principles include one person, one vote and equality before the law.[3]
Egalitarianism believes that all people are of equal fundamental worth and should have equal status.[2] Egalitarians tend to focus more on process and treating people as social equals than on the raw distribution of power.[4]
Political equality is only achieved when the norms, rules and procedures that govern the community afford equal consideration to all.[4] Robert Dahl believes that the ideal of democracy assumes that political equality is desirable.[5] He goes on to argue that political equality and democracy are supported by the inherent intrinsic equal worth of every person (intrinsic equality) and the tendency of concentrated power to corrupt.[6]
Equality before law means that the law applies to all peoples equally and without exceptions. For example, the freedom of speech should apply the same to all members of a society.
Laws can sometimes be designed to help minimize unequal application.[7] Well-designed constitutions, for example, can help protect political rights in functioning democracies.[8][9]
