ABSTRACT
For Rousseau there was an aboriginal equality, corrupted by private property and society. It was indeed patent, even to simpletons, that two men are not always equal in physical strength. The field of empirical research into human inequality, although of patent political and social importance, has still been quite inadequately tilled. Historically many of the campaigns for human equality can, indeed, rather be seen as campaigns against specific forms, functionless and morally unjust, of social inequality—which is not at all the same thing. There are today two major social issues upon which the equalitarian campaign has a bearing. Most contemporary discussion of inequality in fact revolves around these issues. The race problem arises from the inequalitarian depression of certain peoples, distinguished by color, cultural prejudice, or community resentment. Equality of opportunity may provide the opening for the man of greater ability "starting at the bottom of the ladder", to climb it and acquire a fortune.
