CHAPTER – 3 EQUALITY
NOTES
WHY EQUALITY MATTERS?
-Equality is a powerful moral and political ideal that has inspired and guided human society
-All faiths and religions proclaim all human beings to be the creation of God.
- All human beings have an equal worth regardless of their colour, gender, race, or nationality.
- It maintains that human beings deserve equal respect because of their common humanity.
- It is this notion of a shared humanity that lies behind the notions of universal human rights or
‘crimes against humanity’.
How Equality is used as a slogan against inequalities in modern period?
- In the modern period the equality of all human beings has been used as a slogan in the
struggles against states and social institutions which uphold inequalities of rank, wealth
status or privilege, among people.
- In the eighteenth century, the French revolutionaries used the slogan ‘Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity’ to revolt against the landed monarchy.
- The demand for equality was also raised during anti-colonial liberation struggles in Asia and
Africa during the twentieth century.
- It continues to be raised by struggling groups such as women or dalits who feel marginalised
in our society.
- Today, equality is a widely accepted ideal which is embodied in the constitutions and laws of
many countries.
It is inequality rather than equality which is most visible around us in the world as well as
within our own society. Comment
- In our country we can see slums existing side by side with luxury housing, schools with
world class facilities and airconditioned classrooms along with schools which may lack even
drinking water facilities as well as starvation.
- There are glaring differences between what the law promises and what we see around us
- The richest 50 individuals in the world have a combined income greater than that of the
poorest 40 crore people.
- The poorest 40 per cent of the world’s population receive only 5 per cent of global income,
while the richest 10 per cent of the world’s population controls 54 per cent of global income
- A resident of the advanced industrial countries consumes at least three times as much
water, ten times as much energy, thirteen times as much iron and steel than someone living
in a developing country like India or China
WHAT IS EQUALITY?
- All human beings should be entitled to the same respect and consideration because of their
common humanity.
- The ancient concept of equality insisted -on recognition and preservation of existing
inequalities in society between the rich and the poor.
- The modern notion of equality, however seeks the correction of the prevailing in equalities
- Equality is the creation of a society where there are no special privileges and all individual
are given an adequate opportunity to develop their personality.
- State should ensure that no one is denied adequate opportunities for development of
personality.
- Equality, therefore lies in absence of special privileges and providing of adequate
opportunities to all.
The treatment we receive and the opportunities we enjoy must not be pre-determined by
birth or social circumstances. Explain
- When people are treated differently just because they are born in a particular religion or
race or caste or gender, we regard it as an unacceptable form of inequality.
- Human beings may pursue different ambitions and goals and not all may be equally
successful.
- So long as they are able to develop the best in themselves we would not feel that equality
has been undermined
- Some may become good musicians while others may not be equally outstanding, some
become famous scientists while others more noted for their hard work
- It merely suggests that the treatment we receive and the opportunities we enjoy must not
be pre-determined by birth or social circumstance.
Equality of Opportunities
- The concept of equality implies that all people, as human beings, are entitled to the same
rights and opportunities to develop their skills and talents, and to pursue their goals and
ambitions.
- This means that in a society people may differ with regard to their choices and preferences.
They may also have different talents and skills which results in some being more successful
in their chosen careers than others.
- It is not the lack of equality of status or wealth or privilege that is significant but the
inequalities in people’s access to such basic goods, as education, health care, safe housing,
that make for an unequal and unjust society.
Natural and Social Inequalities
- Natural inequalities are those that emerge between people as a result of their different
capabilities and talents while social inequalities emerge as a consequence of inequalities of
opportunity or the exploitation of some groups in a society by others.
- Natural inequalities are considered to be the result of the different characteristics and
abilities with which people are born. Natural differences cannot be altered. Social
inequalities on the other hand are those created by society.
Eg- Certain societies may value those who perform intellectual work over those who do
manual work and reward them differently. They may treat differently people of different
race, or colour, or gender, or caste.
Problems with Natural Inequalities
- When certain inequalities in the treatment of people have existed over a long period of time
they may appear to us as justifiable because they are based on natural inequalities. Eg -Black
people in Africa were considered by their colonial masters to be of lesser intelligence and
better at manual work. This belief was used to justify institutions like slavery. All these
assessments are now questioned.
- They are now seen as distinctions made by society as a result of difference of power rather
than based on inborn characterstics.
- Some differences which could be considered natural need no longer be seen as unalterable.
For eg- Today, computers can help blind people, even a person’s looks can be changed with
cosmetic surgery. The famous physicist Stephen Hawking can hardly move or speak but he
has made major contributions to science.
- It would seem unjust to most people today if disabled people are denied necessary help on
the grounds that they are naturally less capable.
- Inequalities operating on account of the family or circumstance in which a person is born is a
matter of concern which should be eliminated.
DIMENSIONS OF EQUALITY
Various thinkers and ideologies have highlighted three main dimensions of equality namely,
political, social and economic.
Political Equality
- It would normally include granting equal citizenship to all the members of the state.
- Equal citizenship brings with it certain basic rights such as the right to vote, freedom of
expression, movement and association and freedom of belief.
- These are rights which are considered necessary to enable citizens to develop themselves
and participate in the affairs of the state.
- But they are legal rights, guaranteed by the constitution and laws.
- An important component of a just and egalitarian society
Social Equality
- People belonging to different groups and communities also have a fair and equal chance to
compete for goods and opportunities. For this, it is necessary to minimise the effects of
social and economic inequalities and guarantee certain minimum conditions of life to all the
members of the society — adequate health care, the opportunity for good education,
adequate nourishment and a minimum wage
- Where equality of opportunity does not exist a huge pool of potential talent tends to be
wasted in society. In India, a special problem regarding equal opportunities comes not just
from lack of facilities but from some of the customs which may prevail in different parts of
country. Women may not enjoy equal rights of inheritance in some groups, or there may be
social prohibitions regarding their taking part in certain kinds of activities, or they may even
be discouraged from higher education.
Role of the state- It should make policies to prevent discrimination or harassment of women
in public places or employment, to provide incentives to open up education or certain
professions to women. But social groups and individuals also have a role to play in raising
awareness and supporting those who want to exercise their rights.
Economic Equality
Economic inequality exists in a society if there are significant differences in wealth, property
or income between individuals or classes.
Ways of measuring the degree of economic inequality in a society
- One way of measuring the degree of economic inequality in a society would be to measure
the relative difference between the richest and poorest groups.
- Another way could be to estimate the number of people who live below the poverty line
Effects of Inequality
- Inequalities which are entrenched, that is, which remain relatively untouched over
generations, are more dangerous for a society.
- If in a society certain classes of people have enjoyed considerable wealth and the power
over generations, the society would become divided between those classes and others who
have remained poor over generations.
- 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.
Two important political ideologies on Equality – Marxism and Liberalism
MARXISM
- 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.
- He pointed out that such private ownership did not only make the class of owners wealthy,
it also gave them political power.
- Such power enables them to influence state policies and laws and this could prove a threat
to democratic government.
- Marxists and socialists feel that economic inequality provides support to other forms of
social inequality such as differences of rank or privilege.
- Therefore, to tackle inequality in society we need to ensure public control over essential
resources and forms of property.
LIBERALISM
- Liberals uphold the principle of competition as the most efficient and fair way of distributing
resources and rewards in society.
- They believe that while states may have to intervene to ensure a minimum standard of living
and equal opportunities for all, this cannot by itself bring equality and justice to society.
- Competition between people in free and fair conditions is the most just and efficient way of
distributing rewards in a society.
- For them, as long as competition is open and free, inequalities are unlikely to become
entrenched
- People will get due reward for their talents and efforts.
- For liberals the principle of competition is the most just and efficient way of selecting
candidates for jobs or admission.
Difference between Socialists and Liberals
- Unlike socialists, liberals do not believe that political, economic and social inequalities are
necessarily linked.
- Democracy could help to provide political equality but it might be necessary to devise
different strategies to deal with social differences and economic inequalities.
- The problem for liberals is not inequality as such, but unjust and entrenched inequalities
which prevent individuals from developing their capabilities.
HOW CAN WE PROMOTE EQUALITY?
Establishing Formal Equality
- The first step towards bringing about equality is ending the formal system of inequality and
privileges.
- Social, economic and political inequalities all over the world have been protected by
customs and legal systems that prohibited some sections of society from enjoying certain
rewards.
- Attainment of equality requires that all restrictions or privileges should be brought to an
end.
- Government and the law of the land should stop protecting these systems of inequality. The
Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
- Our Constitution also abolishes the practice of untouchability
Equality Through Differential Treatment
- It is necessary to treat people differently in order to ensure that they can enjoy equal rights.
- For eg , disabled people may demand special ramps in public spaces so that they get an
equal chance to enter public buildings.
- Women working in call centres at night may need special protection during the journey to
and from the centre so that their equal right to work may be protected.
- These should not be seen as infringements of equality but as enhancement of equality.
- In our country we have relied on the policy of reservations
Affirmative Action
- Affirmative action is based on the idea that it is not sufficient to establish formal equality by
law.
- It is necessary to take some more positive measures to minimise and eliminate entrenched
forms of social inequalities
- Affirmative action 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.
- In our country we have adopted a policy of quotas or reserved seats in education and jobs
to provide equality of opportunity to deprived
- Such consideration will enable these communities to overcome the existing disadvantages
and then compete with others on equal terms.
Critics of positive discrimination on policies of reservations
- They invoke the principle of equality to argue against such policies.
- They contend that any provision of reservations or quotas for the deprived for higher
education or jobs is unfair as it denies other sections of society their right to equal
treatment.
- They maintain that reservations are a form of reverse discrimination and they continue with
the practices that the principle of equality rejects.
- Equality requires that all persons be treated alike.
- For these theorists, the important thing is to do away with social distinctions that divide our
society.
Mona Virmani