IntroductionEquality is the most common word related to socialism. This does not guarantee that socialism can guarantee effective equality. Mozambique's post-independence phase is characterized by a socialist regime and the intention to ensure socialist equality. Mozambique's underdevelopment situation has shaped the idea of ​​equality, considered the ultimate reward for the pursuit of development. Therefore the underlying theme of social policy provided by the welfare regime could not be focused on anything other than the pursuit of development. Equality, socialism and social policy Oxford dictionaries define equality as: “The state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2013). Equality has always been a controversial concept, even if the majority of philosophers and sociologists have always agreed in underlining its importance. One of the most prominent philosophers who does not agree with the possibility of equality among all is Aristotle. He believes in the principle of treating similar cases equally (Aristotle, 2000). According to his point of view, formal equality is not possible. Furthermore, Aristotle states that equality, justice and wealth should be based on merit (Aristotle, 1984), which is not included as a peculiarity in the common definition of equality. The opposite understanding of equality is defined by Rousseau. He writes that no one “should ever be rich enough to buy another, and no one poor enough to be forced to sell himself” (Rousseau, 1973, I, 1, p.223). According to Rousseau, formal equality exists between men but only in the state of nature: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” (Rousseau, 1973, II, 11, p.181). equality represents differing...... half of the paper...... we can conceptualize the analysis with a syllogism. If socialism is equality and achieving development is Mozambican socialism, then achieving development is achieving equality. How effective was the development program in Mozambique? The premise of a cross-cutting focus of welfare reforms, people's participation and gender equality was an encouraging starting point towards equality. However, the lack of a revolutionary working class and the rooting of socialism in traditional culture have made it difficult to achieve development and therefore the expected equality. As Robinson (2003) explains, the failure of equality was clearly demonstrated during the Third Frelimo Congress with the transition from a mass party to a vanguard party with the end of workers' control over production and the advent of the centralization of power in the state apparatus..