In today's society, it is widely believed that political equality can be achieved through increased visibility in the marketplace, such as through the rise of social media influencers and celebrities who speak out about their personal beliefs.
This claim ignores the fact that true political equality requires more than just public recognition. It also requires systemic changes to laws and policies, which may require significant effort and time beyond simply raising awareness. While market visibility can certainly contribute to greater representation of underrepresented groups, it cannot substitute for the structural changes necessary to achieve real change.
To understand why, let's look at how markets work. In a free market, supply and demand determine prices and availability of goods and services. When there are more buyers than sellers for a particular product, its price goes up. Likewise, when there are fewer buyers than sellers, its price goes down. This means that those who have something valuable to offer will always find a buyer willing to pay for it - even if they belong to an oppressed group.
Black actors like Chadwick Boseman became famous despite facing racism in Hollywood because their talent was valued by audiences. Similarly, transgender athletes like Lia Thomas became known due to their athletic abilities, not despite them.
These success stories are still rare, especially when it comes to marginalized communities without access to traditional platforms for visibility. Even with increased market visibility, the structures of power remain unchanged, and marginalized people may continue to face discrimination or violence from individuals who do not accept their identities. Moreover, while increased market visibility may lead to greater tolerance, it does not ensure equal treatment in terms of jobs, housing, education, healthcare, justice, or voting rights. True political equality requires a shift in social norms and institutions to recognize the value of all citizens, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
Achieving true political equality would require systemic changes that go beyond individual choices or personal beliefs.
Laws such as affirmative action policies can help level the playing field for historically excluded groups. Such initiatives cannot simply rely on charitable donations but must be backed by government intervention through taxation or public spending. This implies that true political equality necessitates collective action, which is difficult to achieve solely through market forces since markets tend to reward those who benefit most from society's current status quo. It also means that real progress depends on sustained efforts over time rather than instant gratification via viral posts.
Market visibility alone will never replace true political equality because real change requires structural shifts and institutional reform beyond consumer preferences. While increased representation can contribute to progress, it cannot substitute for meaningful policy changes. Therefore, we need to recognize both the importance of visibility and its limitations when striving towards genuine political equality for all Americans.
Can market visibility ever replace true political equality?
It is difficult to argue that market visibility alone can fully substitute for true political equality. Even though it may be possible to achieve some measure of economic success and influence through visible participation in public life, political power still remains largely concentrated in the hands of those with access to formal institutions such as government and lawmaking bodies. This lack of representation has far-reaching consequences on policy decisions, which often privilege certain interests over others regardless of their market clout.