What does it mean to be "equal" in society today? Why has equality increasingly come to be seen as a requirement of basic justice in liberal democracies? This course serves as an introduction to the subject of equality and its importance to liberal and democratic political theory and practice. Some central questions posed in the course include: Is it is enough to be formally equal in the eyes of the law, or do people require equal resources, opportunities and capacities in order to be truly "equal"? Can liberal democratic states deliver on promises of justice and fairness in the absence of comprehensive social equality and equitable economic distribution? Is it the state's role to foster such equality? The course disentangles different forms of equality (such as economic, political, sexual, racial and cultural equality) and assesses the merit of several concrete solutions to inequality, such as affirmative action and policies promoting multiculturalism. Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: class participation and presentations, two 6- to 8-page essays, one 8- to 10-page paper. Prerequisites: one previous course in political theory or philosophy, or the permission of the instructor. Enrollment limit: 24 (expected: 15). Political Theory Subfield