EQUALITY

Equality means absence of special rights and equal chances to everyone for
his development. Equality, therefore, means, first and foremost, the absence
of social privilege. In the second place it means that adequate opportunities
are laid open to all”. 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 obliteration of diversity. Thus,
equality can be defined in terms of both individuals and a wide variety of
groups, it can relate to many different dimensions of people’s lives and it can
refer to many different types of relationship, all of these differences having
some kind of basis in the idea of treating people as equals. It follows that far
from being a single idea, equality refers to countless ideas, which may have
very different implications and may even be incompatible (Rae et al. 1981).
Another consequence of this variety of ideas of equality is that what we think
of as an egalitarian political outlook may be better expressed in terms of a
set of related principles of equality rather than in terms of a single principle.
It may even be that different types of egalitarian consider their views to be
based on the same fundamental principles of equality and differ most in
terms of what they thin.

WHAT IS EQUALITY ACCORDING TO INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Fundamental Rights Ensuring Equality

• Article 14 - Equality before Law

• Article 15 - Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race,
caste, sex or place of birth
• Article 16 - Equality of Opportunity in matters of public employment
• Article 17 - Abolition of Untouchability
• Article 18 - Abolition of titles

DEFINITION BY SCHOLARS

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. Finally, equal satisfaction of basic needs. The term
equal considerations is not satisfactory because it may not always be
justified. Equal opportunities, in the opinion of RAPHAEL an acceptable term
but it is cautioned here that it should not lead one to conclude that it is
identical opportunity

The meaning is it is equal opportunities. Finally, equal satisfaction of basic

needs. The term equal considerations is not satisfactory because it may not
always be justified. Equal opportunities, in the opinion of Raphael, are an
acceptable term but it is cautioned here that it should not lead one to
conclude that it is identical opportunity.

“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

Number of political scientists has defined the concept and Prof. Laski is one
of them. We shall mention his definition because of its special approach.
According to Laski equality means “coherence of ideas”.

In the treatment meted out to different individuals there shall persist

coherence. While privileges are distributed among the individuals justice and
reason must be maintained so that no individual can think that he is
neglected or is deprived of his due share. In the distribution of privileges
attention shall be paid to the development of personality .

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

TYPES OF EQUALITY-3 DIMENSIONS OF EQUALITY

Social Equality

Equality before the law or political equality is the first step in the pursuit of
equality; however, it must be supplemented with equality of opportunities.
 The pursuit of equality necessitates that people from various groups and
communities have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for those
goods and opportunities.Only by reducing the effects of socioeconomic
inequalities can a certain standard of living be guaranteed to all members
of society.In India, it is not only a lack of equal opportunities or facilities,
but also a unique issue centered on some of the customs that exist across
the country or among different groups. In some groups, for example,
women may not have equal inheritance rights. Social equality deals with
equal status provided by the society. But the problem is our society deals
as well with the traditional aspect of the constraints made by them.
Caste,religion,birth matter in a social environment.

Political Equality

Political Equality is critical to remove any legitimate barriers that prevent

individuals from having a say in government and from accessing available
social goods.

Certain fundamental rights, such as the right to vote, freedom of

expression, movement, and association, and freedom of belief, become
centered on equal citizenship. These are deemed necessary in order for
citizens to develop and participate in state affair.

This is expressed in such principles as one-person/one-vote, equality

before the law, and equal rights of free speech.

Equal consideration of the preferences and needs of all citizens is

fostered by equal political activity among citizens; not only equal voting
turnout across significant categories of citizens but equality in other forms
of activity.

ECONOMIC EQUALITY

Economic equality refers to the right of individuals to be paid equally for

the same job without regard to any characteristics that do not affect their
job performance, in other words, without regard to their gender, race,
class, etc.

One of the most salient examples of a lack of economic equality is the

persistent wage gap between men and women.
Equity or economic equality is the concept or idea of fairness in
economics, particularly in regard to taxation or welfare economics.

More specifically, it may refer to equal life chances regardless of identity,

to provide all citizens with a basic and equal minimum of income, goods,
and services or to increase funds and commitment for redistribution.

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITIES

Equal opportunity, also called equality of opportunity, in political theory,

the idea that people ought to be able to compete on equal terms, or on a
“level playing field,” for advantaged offices and positions.

The American political philosopher John Rawls defended a version of fair

equal opportunity. He argued that advantaged positions should be open
to all, not only formally but also in such a way that each person has a fair
chance of attaining them. He treated that idea as equivalent to the claim
that those with the same level of talent and ability, and the same
willingness to use them, should have the same prospects of success,
regardless of factors such as class, race, and sex. Implementing fair equal
opportunity would require counteracting the effects of differences in
class, race, sex, and the like, and it would have substantial implications for
the design of a system of public education, including the tax regime
required to fund it.

In other words, it is not the lack of equality of status or wealth or

privilege that is significant but the inequalities in peoples’ access to such
basic goods, as education, health care, safe housing, that make for an
unequal and unjust society.

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

Economic inequality is the unequal distribution of income and opportunity

between different groups in society. It is a concern in almost all countries
around the world and often people are trapped in poverty with little
chance to climb up the social ladder.

Economic inequality is the difference in how assets, wealth, or income are

distributed among individuals and/or populations. It is also described as
the gap between rich and poor or the "wealth gap".
Historically, development theory was concerned with income inequalities,
in so much as it affected or was affected by the economic growth of the
average income of the nation.

In a society certain classes of people have enjoyed considerable wealth,

and the power which goes with it, over generations, the society would
become divided between those classes and others who have remained
poor over generations. Over time such class differences can give rise to
resentment and violence. Because of the power of the wealthy classes it
might prove difficult to reform such a society to make it more open and
egalitarian

Marxism and liberalism are two important political ideologies of our times

. Marx was an important nineteenth century thinker who argued that the
root cause of entrenched inequality was private ownership of important
economic resources such as oil, or land, or forests, as well as other forms
of property. He pointed out that such private ownership did not only
make the class of owners wealthy, it also gave them political power.

. Marxists and socialists feel that economic inequality provides support to

other forms of social inequality such as differences of rank or privilege

For liberals the principle of competition is the most just and efficient way
of selecting candidates for jobs or admission to educational institutions .

NATURAL AND SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

Natural inequalities are considered to be the result of the different

characteristics and abilities with which people are born. It is generally
assumed that natural differences cannot be altered. Social inequalities on
the other hand are those created by society

Social inequality involves a situation in which the distribution of resources

within society is uneven. It’s the fact that some individuals have access to
social goods in a given community as compared to others due to their
power, religion, family ties, and reputation.

The most common type of social inequality is that women are not given
the same opportunities as males, such as becoming national leaders and
holding high offices in government or business. Another example is the
treatment of people based on race, such as when black individuals in most
 European countries are subject to racism and do not receive an equal
chance at applying for a position. There is also an income gap between
workers of different races or gender.

Natural inequality is defined as “inequality for which society is not

responsible under previous actions and policies” . Natural things that are
not evenly distributed such as minerals, and wildlife. This implies that
natural inequality is a consequence of how the world was formed rather
than human actions.

Natural inequality is linked to physical circumstances. It may be influenced

by weather conditions in a specific country, the movement of different
species of animals, or the growth of plants. Natural disasters such as
volcanoes and tectonic movements such as earthquakes and tremors also
influence natural inequality. The nature of species and type of vegetation,
soil, and landscape play a part in natural inequality. When it comes to
people’s physical appearances or abilities, this is primarily determined by
one’s blood, race, bone structure, and weather conditions.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Affirmative action seeks to reverse historical trends of discrimination
against individuals with certain identities.Policies often implement hiring
quotas, provide grants and scholarships, and may also deny government
funding and contracts to institutions that fail to follow policy guidelines.

Affirmative action includes assistance for gender representation, people

with disabilities, and covered veterans.

Actions are because to make corrections for the historical wrongs

committed against the nation’s lower castes, to create an equal playing
field for underprivileged groups since they are unable to fight with those
who have long had access to money and resources, to guarantee fair
representation of underprivileged sections in state-run services, to assure
that meritocracy is based on equality, all persons must be brought to the
same level before being evaluated on their individual merits.

Affirmative action can however 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
 Special assistance in the form of affirmative action is expected to be a
temporary or time-bound measure. The assumption is that special
consideration will enable these communities to overcome the existing
disadvantages and then compete with others on equal terms.

Although policies of affirmative action are supported for making the

society more equal, many theorists argue against them. They question
whether treating people differently can ever lead to greater equality.

FEMINISM

Feminism is a political doctrine of equal rights for women and men.

Feminists are those men and women who believe that many of the
inequalities we see in society between men and women are neither
natural nor necessary and can be altered so that both women and men
can lead free and equal lives

The essence of Feminism has a strong fundamental case intended to mean

only that there are excellent reasons for thinking that woman suffer from
systematic social injustice because of their sex, the proposition is to be
regarded as constituting feminism." According to Virginia Woolf, "A
woman must have money and room of her own if she is to write fiction.".

Modern feminism were emerged with the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft

and John Stuart Mill. Wollstonecraft wrote the Vindication of the Rights of
Women in 1792, which debated that women should have the equal rights
as men, including the right to education, earnings and property.

Feminist philosophy and practice is highly dissimilar, however. Distinctive

liberal, socialist/Marxist and radical forms of feminism are usually
identified. According to feminists, inequality between men and women in
society is the result of patriarchy. This term refers to a social, economic
and cultural system that values men more than women and gives men
power over women.

Patriarchy produces a division of labour by which women are supposed to

be responsible for “private” and “domestic” matters while men are
responsible for work in the “public” domain.
SOCIALISM

Socialism refers to a set of political ideas that emerged as a response to

the inequalities present in, and reproduced by, the industrial capitalist
economy. The main concern of Socialism is how to minimise existing
inequality and distribute resources justly.

In India the eminent socialist thinker Rammanohar Lohia, identified five

kinds of inequalities that need to be fought against simultaneously:
inequality between man and woman, inequality based on skin colour,
caste-based inequality, colonial rule of some countries over others, and,
of course, economic inequality.

Socialist ideology asserts the moral and economic superiority of an

economy with these features, especially as compared with capitalism.
More specifically, socialists typically argue that capitalism undermines
democracy, facilitates exploitation, distributes opportunities and
resources unfairly, and vitiates community, stunting self-realization and
human development. Socialism, by democratizing, humanizing, and
rationalizing economic relations, largely eliminates these problems .

Socialism, for Marx, is a society which permits the actualization of man's

essence, by overcoming his alienation. It is nothing less than creating the
conditions for the truly free, rational, active and independent man; it is
the fulfillment of the prophetic aim: the destruction of the idols. Marx
fought against religion exactly because it is alienated, and does not satisfy
the true needs of man. Marx's fight against God is, in reality, a fight
against the idol that is called God.

Mikhail Gorbachev is experimenting with various approaches to

questions of how socialism develops and how socialist democracy
operates. He is trying to discard outmoded views and policies that have
created problems for the country’s progress.

In examining Lenin’s history and writings it is clear he had no set

conceptions about what socialism would look like. His views on socialism
changed and developed as he gained experience with the tactics and
methods of constructing it.