Competition is not only good in itself, it is the means by which other basic American values such as individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and hard work are protected.
The substantive requirement embodies the inner value of equality of opportunity whereas the formal requirement expresses its external procedure. Both of them are indispensable.
Fair equality of opportunity.
Most societies will tolerate the idea of well-rewarded winners, as long as there is equality of opportunity and the losers also clearly gain something from the system.
Although the phrase was used by this country's founders to denote equality before the law, it has also been interpreted to mean equality of opportunity.
Many black American have fewer opportunities than the average white Ameican, in spite of laws designed to promote equality of opportunity for all RACES.