The classical liberal thinker, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and modern libertarian, Robert Nozick, are two political theorists whose work challenges us to decide what value we ascribe to equality. Rousseau’s A Discourse on Inequality and Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia present conflicting views regarding the levels of concern that each author shows for inequality, where Nozick notably values freedom over equality. The differences begin with their thoughts on the rise out of the state of nature. Then, perhaps one of the largest tensions between these works lies with Rousseau’s concern for inequality that has been falsely naturalized, particularly property rights. Nozick exhibits an unacceptable lack of consideration for inequalities and a strong
