7/10/2021 Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality

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Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality

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Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality!

Liberty and Equality are two most valuable rights of the people. These constitute two basic pillars of
democracy. The French Revolutionaries demanded liberty along with equality and fraternity. The French
Declaration of Rights categorically stated “Men are born and always continue to be free and equal in respect of
their rights” The Preamble of the Indian Constitution defines Equality as one of the four basic objectives of the
Indian polity, the other three .being Justice, Liberty and Fraternity.

I. Equality: Meaning:

(1) Equality does not mean absolute equality:

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In common usage equality is taken to mean full equality of treatment and reward for all. It is demanded as
natural equality. It is said that all men are born natural and free. However, despite a strong emotional appeal
to our hearts, the notion of natural and absolute equality of all cannot be fully accepted and realised. Men are
neither equal in respect of their physical features nor in respect of their mental abilities. Some are stronger
others weaker and some are more intelligent and capable than others.

Their capacities and abilities are different. As such equality of treatment and rewards cannot be ensured.
Rewards must depend upon the actual abilities and work of various people. Hence equality does not mean
absolute and total equality.

Equality really means equal opportunities for development. In fact, when we talk of equality of all men we
really mean general and fair equality and not absolute equality. We really talk of a fair distribution of
opportunities reward and not equal reward for all.

(2) Equality means absence of all unnatural and unjust inequalities:

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In society there are present two types of inequalities:

(1) Natural inequalities, and

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7/10/2021 Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality

(2) Man-made unnatural inequalities.

The former means natural differences among human beings. These have to be accepted by all. The man-made
inequalities are those which are there because of some social conditions and discriminations. These are of the
nature of socioeconomic inequalities resulting from the operation of social system. The discriminations
practiced and inequalities maintained in the name of caste, colour, creed, religion, sex, place of birth and the
like are all unnatural man- made inequalities. Equality means end of all such inequalities and discriminations.

Equality: Definitions:
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“The Right to Equality proper is a right of equal satisfaction of basic human needs, including the need to
develop and use capacities which are specifically human.” -D.D Raphall

“Equality means that no man shall be so placed in society that he can over-reach his neighbour to the extent
which constitutes a denial of latter’s citizenship.” -Laski

“Equality means equal rights for all the people and the abolition of all special rights and privileges”. -Barker

Thus, negatively equality implies abolition of all special privileges and facilities which may be available to some
classes or some persons in society. It also stands for the abolition of all man-made inequalities and
discriminations. Positively Equality stands for equal rights, equitable distribution of resources , equal
opportunities for development and relative equality with due recognition of merit, abilities and capacities of
various persons.

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II. Equality: Features:

1. Equality does not stand for absolute equality. It accepts the presence of some natural inequalities.
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2. Equality stands for absence of all unnatural man- made inequalities and specially privileged classes in the
society. Read Next Story

3. Equality postulates the grant and guarantee of equal rights and freedoms to all the people.

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4. Equality implies the system of equal and adequate opportunities for all the people in society.

5. Equality means equal satisfaction of basic needs of all the persons before the special needs’, and luxuries of
some persons may be met.

6. Equality advocates an equitable and fair distribution of wealth and resources i.e. Minimum possible gap
between the rich and poor.

7. Equality accepts the principle of protective discrimination for helping the weaker sections of society. In the
Indian political system, right to equality has been given to all and yet there stands incorporated provisions for
granting special protection facilities and reservations to persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes Other Backward Classes, minorities, women, and children.

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7/10/2021 Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality

Thus Equality stands for 3 Basic Features:

(a) Absence of special privileges in society.

(b) Presence of adequate and equal opportunities for development for all.

(c) Equal satisfaction of basic needs of all.

III. Types of Equality:

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1. Natural Equality:

Despite the fact that men differ in respect of their physical features, psychological traits, mental abilities and
capacities, all humans are to be treated as equal humans. All are to be considered worthy of enjoying all human
rights and freedoms.

2. Social Equality:

It stands for equal rights and opportunities for development for all classes of people without any
discrimination.

Specifically, it stands for:

(i) Absence of special privileges for any class or caste or religions group or an ethnic group;

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(ii) Prohibition of discrimination against any one on the basis of caste, colour, creed, religion, sex and place of
birth;

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(iii) Free access to public places for all the people, i.e. no social segregation; Banking System: Structure and other
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(iv) Equality of opportunity for all people. It however accepts the concept of protective discrimination
Readin favour
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of all weaker sections of society.

A modern central theme of social equality is to end gender inequality, to ensure equal status and opportunities
to the women and to ensure equal rights of male and female children to live and develop.

3. Civil Equality:

It stands for the grant of equal rights and freedoms to all the people and social groups. All the people are to be
treated equal before Law.

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4. Political Equality:

It stands for equal opportunities for participation of all in the political process. This involves the concept of
grant of equal political rights for all the citizens with some uniform qualifications for everyone.

5. Economic Equality:

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7/10/2021 Equality: Meaning, Features and Types of Equality

Economic equality does not mean equal treatment or equal reward or equal wages for all. It stands for fair and
adequate opportunities to all for work and for earning of their livelihoods. It also means that primary needs of
all should be met before the special needs of few are satisfied. The gap between rich and poor should be
minimum. There should be equitable distribution of wealth and resources in the society.

6. Legal Equality:

Finally, Legal Equality stands for equality before law, equal subjection of all to the same legal code and equal
opportunity for all to secure legal protection of their rights and freedom. There should rule of law and laws
must be equally binding foe all. In every society equality must be ensured in all these forms.

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