Final answer:
Capitalists believe that inequality is necessary for a functioning society as it is a byproduct of a free market system that incentivizes production and efficiency. This stands in contrast to socialism and communism, which seek to reduce or eliminate inequalities through redistribution and social ownership of resources, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief that inequality is practical for society in order for work to be done aligns with capitalist thinkers. According to capitalist philosophy, the market should be left alone by governments, allowing individuals the freedom to produce, trade, and buy what they wish. This approach relies on the principles of a free market economy, which Adam Smith, the Scottish philosopher, deemed beneficial for both producers and consumers. Under capitalism, competition is expected to lead to the most efficient pricing and innovation through the 'invisible hand' of the market, which can create differing levels of wealth and thus inequality.
By contrast, socialism and communism are ideologies that seek to address and reduce economic inequalities by proposing different systems of wealth distribution, often involving governmental intervention. Socialists advocate for the public management of essential resources, while communists aim for a society where resources are shared according to individuals' needs. Anarchists reject both the state and inequalities resulting from state power, believing instead in non-hierarchical societies.