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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hayek argues that directed economies pursuing equality end up enforcing inequality through state hierarchy.
In plain terms
Government plans for equality often create official inequality instead.
What can you take from it?
State-directed equality often leads to enforced inequality.

Where it applies

  • economic policy
  • central planning
  • equality debates

Putting it to work

  • avoid central planning
  • monitor equality policies

Questions to consider

  • Can state planning ensure fairness?
  • What creates real equality?

Another view

Planning can reduce extreme market inequalities.

More from Friedrich Hayek

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  2. Every change in conditions will make necessary some change in the use of resources, in the direction and kind of human activities, in habits and practices. And…

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  3. Equality of the general rules of law and conduct, however, is the only kind of equality conducive to liberty and the only equality which we can secure without …

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