Abstract

This research enters the contemporary debate concerning the role of equality in American society. While equality is expected in the social and political dimensions of life, controversy persists over whether justice requires equality in the economic realm. The discussion begins by exploring the descriptive and prescriptive aspects of the concept of equality. It investigates American attitudes about equality and the current state of economic inequality. The inherent structural complexity of equality is interpreted in terms of subject, domain, value and extent. The discussion identifies the three major philosophical-political egalitarian positions in our society: limited, liberal, and radical egalitarianism. An ethical evaluation of these positions is made, focusing on the role each gives to equality in economic justice. Only radical egalitarianism fully integrates equality into its conceptualization of economic justice. It is concluded that radical egalitarianism has normative superiority over limited and liberal egalitarianism because of the unjust social consequences which result when equality is not extended to the economic realm. However, our society remains reluctant to endorse a radical egalitarianism. The focus of the dissertation then shifts to an investigation of selected aspects of Presbyterian theology and history. The purpose here is to discover potential foundations for affirming and rejuvenating the descriptive and prescriptive dimensions of equality. It is concluded that the theology of John Calvin affirms an intrinsic human equality based on the imago Dei, and that equality developed renewed prescriptive significance in the theological and ecclesiastical vitality of the 18th century Presbyterian church. In an analysis of contemporary Presbyterianism, the research discovers a period of theological vitality. Yet this theological milieu has not yet led to any major changes in Presbyterian views on economic justice. The discussion suggests that hope for a Presbyterian contribution to the renewal of equality lies in a constructive transformation of the theological themes of reconciliation and liberation into a theology of partnership. This "reformed" theology can provide a new ideology of solidarity as a foundation for our ethical framework, and a renewed commitment to communities of koinonia. It is concluded that both of these developments may have potential for the renewal of equality and progress toward radical egalitarianism