Equality
Meaning of Equality
Equality does not mean treating everyone exactly the same,
because people are in different situations and cannot always be
treated in the same way. For society to function smoothly,
sometimes people need to be treated differently, and this can be
acceptable or even necessary.
For example, the Prime Minister of a country has certain special
powers and facilities that cannot be given to an ordinary citizen.
What matters is whether this difference in treatment is fair or unfair.
If people are treated differently because of birth, caste, race, colour
or gender, it is unfair. But if people are treated differently because
of their talent, hard work, abilities or achievements, then it is fair.
Equality of Opportunities
According to the idea of equality, all human beings should get the
same rights and opportunities to develop their skills and talents.
When everyone is given equal opportunities, it is acceptable if a
person becomes more or less successful based on their own abilities
and efforts.
Natural and Social Inequalities
Natural inequalities are the differences that arise between people
because of their different abilities, talents, and capacities. These
inequalities exist because people are born with different physical
and mental characteristics. Social inequalities, on the other hand,
are created by society.
Social inequalities arise because people do not get equal
opportunities or because some groups in society exploit other
groups. The difference between natural inequalities and social
inequalities helps us understand which inequalities are acceptable
and which are unfair in society. However, this difference is not
always very clear or easy to see.
For example, women were considered the “weaker sex” because of
natural differences between men and women, and discrimination
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against black people in Africa on the basis of race was once
considered justified by society. However, these are actually
examples of social inequality. Women and black people were treated
unfairly because they did not have power in society.
With advances in medical science and technology, many natural
differences can now be reduced or changed. It would be unfair if
people are not given help to overcome these natural differences.
For example, a blind person can be helped by using computers and
assistive technology.
Three Dimensions of Equality
Because different types of inequalities exist in society, various
thinkers and ideologies have pointed out three main dimensions of
equality, which are explained as follows.
Political Equality
In a democratic society, political equality means giving equal
citizenship to all members of the state. Equal citizenship includes
basic rights like the right to vote, freedom of expression, freedom of
movement and association, and freedom of belief. These rights help
citizens to develop themselves and take part in the affairs of the
state.
The rights that people enjoy because of equal citizenship are legal
rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution and laws. Even with
these legal rights, citizens may still face inequality because they do
not have the same resources or opportunities in social and
economic life. That is why people also demand equality of
opportunity.
Political equality alone does not ensure a completely fair and equal
society, but it is an important part of creating such a society.
Social Equality
Social equality means giving equal opportunities to all members of
society. Political equality helps in achieving social equality because
it ensures that all social groups are represented and have a voice in
government.
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In India, lack of opportunities is not only because of lack of facilities
but also because of certain customs and traditions followed in
different parts of the country or among different groups.
For example, women often face inequality because of social
restrictions and prohibitions.
The state can help in ensuring social equality by making laws, but
social groups and individuals can also contribute by spreading
awareness and changing attitudes.
Economic Equality
Economic inequality exists in society because there are large
differences in wealth, property, and income among individuals or
social classes. It is measured by comparing the gap between the
richest and the poorest groups and by estimating how many people
live below the poverty line.
Complete equality of wealth or income has never existed.
Therefore, modern democracies focus on providing equal
opportunities to everyone.
Even when equal opportunities are provided, inequality may still
exist, but people then have a chance to improve their position using
the opportunities available to them.
Inequalities that continue for a long time without change are
harmful to society because they divide people into rich groups and
other groups that remain poor for generations.
Feminism
Feminism is a political idea that supports equal rights for women
and men.
Feminists believe that inequalities in society are neither natural nor
necessary and that they can be changed.
According to feminists, inequality between men and women exists
because of patriarchy. Patriarchy is based on the belief that men
and women are naturally different and therefore should be
treated unequally.
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Feminists make a distinction between “sex” and “gender” and
explain that inequality between men and women is created by
society, not nature.
Under patriarchal division of work, women are expected to handle
private or domestic responsibilities, while men are expected to
manage public roles.
Feminists point out that even when women work outside the home,
they are still expected to do domestic work, which creates a
“double burden”.
They argue that the separation between public and private roles
and all forms of gender inequality should be removed.
Liberals and Marxists on Economic Equality
Marxism and Liberalism are two major political ideologies. Karl
Marx, a nineteenth-century thinker, believed that private ownership
of important economic resources like land and industries is the main
cause of inequality. Private ownership creates a wealthy class that
holds both economic and political power.
According to Marxists and socialists, economic inequality supports
other forms of inequality. They believe that public control over
important resources and property can create an equal society.
Liberals, on the other hand, believe that competition is the most
efficient and fair way to distribute resources and rewards. They feel
that the state should ensure a minimum standard of living and
equal opportunities for everyone.
Liberals also believe that political, economic, and social inequalities
are not directly connected and can be solved separately.
Socialism
Socialism is a set of political ideas that developed as a response to
the inequalities present in, and repeatedly created by, the industrial
capitalist economy.
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The main concern of socialism is fair distribution of resources and
reducing existing inequalities.
Supporters of socialism do not completely oppose the market
system, but they prefer some level of government control in
important areas such as education and health care.
Socialists believe that only the end of economic inequality can lead
to the end of all other forms of inequality.
Indian socialist thinker Rammanohar Lohia believed that many
inequalities can be fought through seven revolutions, known as
Sapta Kranti.
Revolution against inequality between men and women.
Revolution against inequality based on skin colour.
Revolution against caste-based inequality.
Revolution against colonial rule of some countries over others.
Revolution against economic inequality.
Revolution to protect civil liberties against unjust interference in
private life and to promote non-violence.
Revolution for giving up weapons in favour of satyagraha.
Ways to Promote Equality
There are several ways suggested by liberals and socialists to
achieve equality. However, liberals and socialists differ from each
other in their approach.
Establishing Formal Equality
Formal equality is the first step towards achieving equality. In many
parts of the world, inequality has been supported by customs and
legal systems, which led to discrimination.
To achieve equality, discriminatory laws, restrictions, customs, and
special privileges should be removed.
The Indian Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of religion,
race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It has also abolished
untouchability.
Most modern constitutions and democratic governments accept the
idea of equality and support equal treatment of all citizens without
discrimination.
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Equality through Differential Treatment
Formal equality is important, but it is not enough to achieve
complete equality.
Sometimes, certain groups need to be treated differently because of
their situation and may need special rights or support so that they
can develop equally.
For example, physically disabled people may need special facilities
like reserved rooms or access in public places.
Today, many societies discuss how differences that block equal
opportunities can be reduced or removed.
Some countries follow the policy of affirmative action, while others
use reservation policies to promote equality of opportunity. For
example, India has adopted the policy of reservation
Affirmative Actions
Affirmative Action is based on the idea that to remove deeply
rooted inequalities in society, some positive steps must be taken.
These steps aim to reduce and eliminate long-standing social
inequalities. Most affirmative action policies are designed to correct
the lasting effects of inequalities faced in the past.
Forms of Affirmative Action can be seen in different ways. For
example, affirmative action may include scholarships for students
from disadvantaged communities. In India, some social groups are
given quotas or reserved seats in education and government jobs.
These groups faced discrimination in the past and were denied
equal opportunities.
Special Assistance provided under affirmative action is generally
considered a temporary or time-bound measure. It is expected that
disadvantaged groups will benefit from this assistance, develop
their abilities, and become capable of competing equally with
others in the future.
Critical View on Reservation highlights that some critics believe
the policy of reservation goes against the idea of equality. They
argue that reservation leads to discrimination against other sections
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of society. According to them, reservation is a form of reverse
discrimination, and they support identical treatment of all citizens.
Equal Rights of Individuals and the Principle of Equality must
be clearly understood. All individuals have the right to participate in
competition, but the competition should be fair. Fair competition is
possible only when disadvantaged groups are given some special
facilities or support.
Social and Economic Inequalities are linked to the lack of equal
opportunities. Most thinkers agree on this point, but there is
disagreement over the policies used to ensure equal opportunities.
Issues such as reservation for deprived communities, how
deprivation should be defined, and whether economic criteria
should be used to identify the deprived remain topics of debate.
Differential Treatment is one method to achieve equality, but it
requires proper justification and careful thought. For instance,
women fought for equal rights like the right to vote and the right to
work. After entering the workplace, they realised that special rights
were also necessary to truly enjoy these equal rights.
Differential treatment is essential to ensure equal rights for certain
groups in society. However, it should not create new forms of
dominance or oppression, nor should it become a means for
powerful groups to reclaim special privileges and authority in
society.
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