Western democracies exalt the ideal of social equality, but our

In the great story of human civilization, there is a tension that has existed since the dawn of society—a tension between the ideals of equality and the realities of the systems that govern wealth, power, and success. Martha Beck, a modern thinker, speaks to this conflict with piercing clarity: "Western democracies exalt the ideal of social equality, but our economic system arguably emerged from 16th-century Calvinism, a religion whose members believed that God showed favor by bestowing wealth and other forms of success on what they called 'the chosen.'" These words are a call to reflect on the historical roots of our modern-day ideals and systems, revealing a paradox that has shaped the world in which we live.

At the heart of Beck's reflection lies a powerful contradiction: while Western democracies—those nations that purport to champion equality, liberty, and justice—are built upon the idea that all men and women are created equal, the economic systems that undergird them often speak a different language. Calvinism, a religious doctrine that emerged in the 16th century, carried within it the notion that God favored certain individuals by granting them wealth and success as signs of being among the "chosen". This belief provided a divine justification for the social and economic hierarchies that existed, with wealth seen not only as a measure of individual success but as a sign of divine favor. This idea, that economic prosperity is a mark of spiritual righteousness, has woven itself into the very fabric of modern capitalism, influencing how we view wealth, success, and, ultimately, equality.

The ancient world, too, had its own systems that celebrated the elite and often saw wealth and success as a reflection of divine or societal favor. Rome, the great empire of antiquity, was a place where patricians and plebeians were sharply divided, and the gods themselves were often invoked as a means of legitimizing the power of the elite. Julius Caesar, the great Roman general, was seen not only as a political leader but as a man blessed by the gods, whose rise to power was understood by many as a fulfillment of divine will. Caesar's wealth and political success, though not grounded in the same religious framework as Calvinism, were still viewed as evidence of divine favor in a world that saw gods as central to human affairs. And so, the belief that economic success is not only a personal achievement but a divine sign is as old as civilization itself.

Yet Beck's words draw our attention to the modern paradox. In the 16th century, John Calvin, a leader of the Protestant Reformation, introduced a new way of thinking that deeply impacted both religious and economic life. Calvin’s doctrine of predestination suggested that only a select few were chosen by God to be saved, and this divine favor was often reflected in material prosperity. Wealth, in this sense, became a sign of blessedness, a sign that one had been chosen for greatness. Over time, this religious idea was intertwined with the capitalist model of economics, where wealth and success came to be seen not only as the result of hard work and ingenuity but also as a manifestation of divine favor. This belief set the stage for an economic system that often justifies inequality by framing it as part of God’s will—a mindset that still influences how many see the relationship between wealth and virtue in modern societies.

Consider the story of Andrew Carnegie, the industrial magnate who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the richest men in history. Carnegie, a devout Protestant, believed that his wealth was not only a result of his own hard work but also a reflection of his moral and spiritual worth. His idea of “The Gospel of Wealth” suggested that those who had been blessed with fortune had a responsibility to use their wealth for the good of society, yet it also reinforced the idea that wealth was tied to virtue and divine favor. Carnegie’s legacy, though marked by his philanthropic endeavors, also reveals the deeply ingrained belief that economic success is somehow a reflection of righteousness, a belief rooted in Calvinism and still influential today.

From Beck’s reflection, we learn a critical lesson: the ideals of social equality and the reality of our economic system are often at odds. Capitalism, as it has evolved, carries within it the seeds of inequality, not just because of human greed or exploitation, but because it is deeply tied to a long-standing belief in the divine favor of the wealthy. While we celebrate the idea of equality, our economic systems are often structured to perpetuate the division between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless, framing wealth as a sign of success and virtue. The challenge, then, is not simply to advocate for equality in words, but to fundamentally rethink the economic structures that perpetuate inequality, recognizing that the divine favor bestowed on the few is not a justification for the suffering of the many.

Thus, the lesson we must take from Beck’s words is profound: to truly embrace equality, we must not only strive for justice within the structures of government and society but also re-examine the very economic systems that shape our world. We must understand that the ideals of liberty and equality can never be fully realized if we continue to accept an economic system that rewards the few at the expense of the many. Wealth, as a symbol of success, should be redefined—not as a mark of divine favor, but as a tool for collective good, a resource that should be shared and distributed to ensure the well-being of all. Let us challenge the assumptions that have guided our systems for centuries, and work toward a world where equality is not just an ideal but a living, breathing reality for all.