EQUALITY

The belief in equality is a major assumption of a self-governing society. Equality does not
entail complete equality. Equality originates from aequalis, aequus, and aequalitas. These are
all old French or Latin words. These French/Latin words mean even, level, and equal.
In general terms, equality means full equality of treatment and reward for all. It is needed as
natural equality. It is thought that all men are born natural and free.
Nevertheless, despite a strong emotional appeal to the hearts of people, the concept of natural
and absolute equality of all cannot be fully acknowledged and realized. Men are neither equal
in respect of their physical features nor in respect of their mental capabilities. Some are
stronger others weaker and some are more intelligent and capable than others.
Actually, equality that all people must have equal opportunities for development. In fact,
when we talk of equality of all people, we really mean general and fair equality and not
absolute equality.
The term equality used in political science differs from uniformity, identity, and sameness.
Some people, of course, want to use it to denote uniformity. But this does not convey the
meaning when it is used by political scientists. Equality does not mean the obliteration of
diversity.
All forms of inequity, whether based on the concept of rulers and ruled, caste, or gender,
were to be eradicated.
Political scientists use the term equality differently from the term uniformity, identity, and
sameness.
Diversity is not eliminated in the name of equality.
Liberty and Equality are the 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:
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 realized. 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 and rewards and not equal rewards for all.

(2) Equality means the absence of all unnatural and unjust inequalities:
In society there are present two types of inequalities:
(1) Natural inequalities, and
(2) Man-made unnatural inequalities.
The former means natural differences among human beings. These have to be accepted by all.
Man-made inequalities are those which are there because of some social conditions and
discriminations. These are the nature of socioeconomic inequalities resulting from the
operation of the social system. The discriminations practiced and inequalities maintained in
the name of caste, color, creed, religion, sex, place of birth and the like are all unnatural man-
made inequalities.
Equality means the end of all such inequalities and discrimination.

Equality: Definitions:
“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 a society that he can over-reach his
neighbor 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, negative equality implies the 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 discrimination. 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.
II. Equality: Features:
1. Equality does not stand for absolute equality. It accepts the presence of some natural
inequalities.
2. Equality stands for the absence of all unnatural man-made inequalities and specially
privileged classes in society.
3. Equality postulates the grant and guarantee of equal rights and freedoms to all people.
4. Equality implies a system of equal and adequate opportunities for all the people in society.
5. Equality means equal satisfaction of the basic needs of all 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, the 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.

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:

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 religious group or ethnic group;
(ii) Prohibition of discrimination against anyone on the basis of caste, color, creed, religion,
sex, and place of birth;
(iii) Free access to public places for all the people, i.e. no social segregation; and
(iv) Equality of opportunity for all people. It however accepts the concept of protective
discrimination in favor of all weaker sections of society.
A modern central theme of social equality is to end gender inequality, ensure equal status and
opportunities for women and ensure equal rights for male and female children to live and
develop.
3. Civil Equality:
It stands for the grant of equal rights and freedoms to all people and social groups. All people
are to be treated equally before Law.
4. Political Equality:
It stands for equal opportunities for the participation of all in the political process. This
involves the concept of the grant of equal political rights for all citizens with some uniform
qualifications for everyone.
5. Economic 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 society.
6. Legal Equality:
Finally, Legal Equality stands for equality before the 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 for all. In every society, equality
must be ensured in all these forms.

Dimensions of Equality
Dimensions of Equality: Political Equality, Social Equality, and Economic Equality.
Political Equality:
 It is important to eliminate any legitimate obstacles which may prohibit individuals
from a voice in government and deny them admittance to available social goods
 Certain basic rights become centered around equal citizenship like the right to vote,
freedom of expression, movement, and association, and freedom of belief
 These are considered necessary to enable citizens to develop themselves and
participate in the affairs of the state.

Social Equality:
  The first step in the pursuit of equality is the Equality before Law or Political Equality
however it needs to be complemented by the equality of opportunities
 The pursuit of equality requires that people belonging to different groups and
communities have a fair and equal chance to compete for those goods and
opportunities
 Certain minimum conditions of life can be ensured for all members of society only by
minimizing the effects of socioeconomic inequalities
 In India, it’s not only the lack of equal opportunities or facilities but a special issue
that may exist centered around some of the customs which prevail across the country,
or among different groups. For instance, women may not enjoy equal rights of
inheritance in some groups
 The significant role of states: They should make policies to prevent discrimination or
harassment of women in public places or employment, etc

Economic Equality:
 They exist in a society if there are significant differences in wealth, property, or
income between individuals or classes
 Measuring the degree of economic inequality
 Quantifying the relative economic difference existing between the richest and poorest
groups of individuals
 Estimating the ratio of the population who live below the poverty line
 With sufficient efforts, there is always a possibility of improving one’s standard of
living in a given society. However, these inequalities may still exist even in the face
of equal opportunities

The danger of Inequalities:

 Inequalities which remain relatively untouched over generations are more dangerous
for a society 
 Division of classes: If in a society certain classes of people have enjoyed considerable
wealth over generations
 Violence and resentment may become widespread over time due to differences
 It would be tough to form an open and egalitarian society via reforms due to the
power of the wealthy class of people

Ways to Promote Equality

Establishing Formal Equality:
 The formal institution of inequality and privileges must be put to an end
  Customs and Legal Systems across the world have protected the inequalities and
marginalized some members of society and kept them from enjoying certain rewards
and opportunities
 Equality can be attained only when all of these privileges and restrictions are ended.
 Equality can be realized when the laws of the land and the government stop sheltering
the gross inequalities in any form as many of them have their validation.

Equality Through Differential Treatment:

 In order to make sure that people can reap the benefit of the rights conferred on them,
they sometimes need to be treated differently.
 Hence, for such scenarios, the fundamental differences between the people has to be
recognized. For example, disabled people for fair access to public buildings need
ramps and other such friendly infrastructure.
 Affirmative Action has also been used by several countries in order to augment the
equality of opportunity.

Affirmative Action:
 It isn’t adequate to set up the proper balance by law and it is important to go to some
more certain lengths to limit and kill dug-in types of social disparities
 It is designed to correct the cumulative effect of past inequalities
 It can take many forms, from preferential spending on facilities for disadvantaged
communities, such as scholarships and hostels to special consideration for admissions
to educational institutions and jobs
 India has adopted a policy of quotas or reserved seats in education and jobs to provide
equality of opportunity to deprived groups
 Special protection: Certain groups have been victims of social prejudice and
discrimination in the form of exclusion and segregation in the past and been denied
equal opportunities
 Time-bound Special Assistance: Special consideration will enable these communities
to overcome the existing disadvantages and then compete with others on equal terms.

Criticism of Positive Discrimination:

 Against equality: Any provision of reservations for the deprived in admissions for
higher education or jobs is unfair as it arbitrarily denies other sections of society their
right to equal treatment
 Reverse discrimination: Equality requires that all persons be treated alike and when
distinctions between individuals on the basis of their caste or colour are made it
reinforce caste and racial prejudices

Reasons for Positive Discrimination:

  Guiding Principle: Distinction between equality as a guiding principle of state policy
and equal rights of individuals. A fair competition should be there where individuals
are equally considered for admission to educational institutions and employment in
the public sector. This should be their right
 Different circumstances: People from deprived strata may be at a disadvantage due to
historical reasons. Members of excluded groups such as Dalits, women, etc. deserve
and need some special help
 The state must devise social policies which would help to make such people equal and
give them a fair chance to compete with others
 Any policy that the state chooses would have to be justified in terms of its success in
making society more egalitarian and fair to all.
 A distinction of treating people identically and equally should be made while we
reflect on the issue of equality.
 On occasions, we may treat the latter in a different manner but under such
circumstances too, the promotion of equality must be.

Three dimensions of equality are Economic, Social, and Political Equality.

-Political equality means granting equal citizenship to all members of the state. Equal
citizenship provides certain basic rights such as the right to vote, freedom of expression,
movement, and association, and freedom of belief to everybody. They can participate in the
affairs of the country.
- Social equality means the provision of equality in society. Equality of opportunities needs to
be provided so that minimum quality of life can be achieved.
- Economic equality means granting equal economic opportunities to all.

Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity is also called equality of opportunity, in political theory, the idea is that
people ought to be able to compete on equal terms, or on a “level playing field,” for
advantaged offices and positions. Proponents of equal opportunity believe that the principle is
compatible with, and indeed may justify, inequalities of the outcome of some sort, but there is
considerable disagreement over precisely to what degree and what kind of inequalities it
justifies and how it does so.

Equal opportunity is a state of fairness in which individuals are treated similarly, unhampered
by artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences, except when particular distinctions can be
explicitly justified. The intent is that the important jobs in an organization should go to the
people who are most qualified – persons most likely to perform ably in a given task – and not
go to persons for reasons deemed arbitrary or irrelevant, such as circumstances of birth,
upbringing, having well-connected relatives or friends, religion, sex, ethnicity, race, caste, or
involuntary personal attributes such as disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism is a trend of thought in political philosophy. An egalitarian favors equality of
some sort i.e, people should get the same or be treated the same or be treated as equals.
Egalitarian doctrines rest on the idea that all human persons are equal in fundamental worth
and moral status.

Equality of opportunity in hierarchical society positions of advantage are assigned to people

on the basis of worth or lineage. Examples are wealth, rank, and private property. A
historically important form of equality associated with the rise of a competitive market
economy is the ideal of equality of opportunity. This is also known as formal equality of
opportunity.

What does equality of opportunity mean? Equality of opportunity requires that jobs in
economic firms and options to borrow money for investment purposes such as starting a
business should be open to all applicants, applications being assessed by relevant
criteria of merit.