Vertical Egalitarianism

This chapter examines liberalism (classical and contemporary) as a paradigm of “vertical” egalitarianism. It shows how, from a liberal perspective, the distinction between vertical and horizontal egalitarianism corresponds loosely to the distinction between coercive principles and ethical ideals. The loose correspondence consists in the fact that most of what goes on between a government and the citizens over whom it claims authority involves the possibility of (formal) coercion. And the converse tends to be true about horizontal relationships: most of what takes place in civil society—between or among citizens—falls outside the purview of legitimate coercive interference. Beyond respecting the formal rights of others, horizontal relationships tend to be markedly free of formal coercion.