Would you rather be equal in pain or unequal in paradise?

I think generally speaking, you're right. Even if we got rid of the issue of resources (via a Star Trek-like replication system or something) there will still be an urge in some people to rebel against a system imposed on them without their consent, which will lead to conflict. I generally lean more toward an "equal" society, but with enough caveats to allow for individuality and dissenting voices. Japan is a very rigid, "equal" society; but there is also a lot of societal pressure that makes people feel completely outcast just for disagreeing with commonly held "norms." I've often maintained that a fictional country that sits somewhere in between the American extreme of too many freedoms, and the Japanese extreme of too many constraints, is where I want to live.

need better context if its paradise doesnt this assume im happy while unfree? if so then sure, ill take paradise