Resources would be more equitably distributed. People in impoverished communities would have better access to clean water, food, housing, education, and healthcare—not as charity, but as a right.
2 Suggestions
Thinking over this story independent of a socialist view, if everyone was made equal, we would potentially eliminate the incentive to work hard and achieve bigger goals in life. People will have nothing to yearn for and thus nothing to keep themselves motivated. Not to be mistaken as a promoter of the inequality that exists because of people’s race, skin color or gender, I believe that if everyone were equal, it would change the world and not in a very favorable kind of way.
If humanity genuinely adopted and acted upon the principle that every single human life holds equal intrinsic value, regardless of any differentiating factor (nationality, wealth, ethnicity, religion, gender, ability, social status, location, etc.), we would likely see transformative changes across the globe:
Access to clean water, sufficient food, adequate shelter, and sanitation would be prioritized as fundamental rights for everyone, everywhere. Global efforts to eradicate poverty and homelessness would receive immense resources and political will.
Quality healthcare would cease to be a commodity determined by wealth or location. There would be massive global investment in public health infrastructure, medical research for all diseases (not just profitable ones), and ensuring access to treatments and preventive care worldwide. Pandemics might be handled with true global cooperation from the outset.
Access to quality education would be universal, recognized as essential for unlocking potential and ensuring informed participation in society. Disparities between educational opportunities in different regions or socioeconomic groups would be actively dismantled.
Legal systems would strive for true impartiality, where wealth, connections, or social status offer no advantage. Focus might shift towards restorative justice and rehabilitation over purely punitive measures.
Systemic discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc., would be actively fought and dismantled, as the core principle refutes the idea that any group is inherently less valuable.
While borders might still exist for administrative purposes, the treatment of migrants and refugees would fundamentally change. Policies would prioritize human safety, dignity, and shared responsibility, rather than exclusion or dehumanization based on nationality. Walls and hostile border policies would become ethically untenable.
Many conflicts are fueled by ideologies that devalue the lives of the "other." Recognizing the equal value of every life would make justifications for war, terrorism, and systemic violence much harder to sustain. Diplomacy and non-violent conflict resolution would be paramount.
Economic models that create extreme wealth disparities and rely on exploitation (unfair wages, dangerous working conditions) would be challenged and reformed. Ideas like Universal Basic Income, wealth taxes, and stronger global labor standards might gain traction.
Recognizing that environmental degradation and climate change disproportionately harm vulnerable populations (whose lives are equally valuable) would necessitate urgent and equitable global action. Wealthier nations would likely accept greater responsibility for mitigation and adaptation support.
A culture genuinely valuing all lives equally would foster greater empathy, compassion, and understanding across different groups.
Achieving such a state would require overcoming deeply ingrained biases, historical injustices, powerful vested interests, and the sheer complexity of global systems. Defining and implementing "equal value" in practice would involve continuous debate and effort. Human tendencies towards tribalism and self-interest would constantly need to be addressed.