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Chapter – 13
Equality
• Equality is the concept which treats all persons as equals and provides equal respect and
consideration to all.
• Equality opposes discrimination in the name of religion, caste, colour, race, economic status,
gender or language.
Equality of Opportunities
• All human beings are entitled to the same rights and opportunities to develop their skills and
talents.
• Article 16 of the Indian Constitution deals with “ Equality of Opportunities”.
Natural and Social Inequalities
Natural Inequalities: These are the inequalities that individuals get from their very nature.
• By nature people may have different capabilities and talents.
• They are not really the creations of the society.
Social Inequalities: They are the creations of the Society.
• They emerge from the denial of equality to certain groups and also from the exploitation of
some groups by others.
Three Dimensions of Equality
1. Political Equality
• By political equality we mean the enjoyment of equal political rights by all individuals in a
state.
• For eg: right to vote, right to contest elections, freedom of expression, freedom to hold
public offices etc..,
2. Social Equality
• It means provision of equal status to all the people in the society.
• It removes special privileges given to any particular individual or individuals on the basis of
caste, religion, race, colour or wealth.
3. Economic Equality
• It means equitable enjoyment of economic resources by all individuals in the state.
• For eg: Equal pay for equal work, right to work and to get adequate wages,right to leisure
etc..,
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The Marxian View Point of Equality
• Karl Marx, a renowned thinker of the 19th century.
• Karl Marx argued that the root cause of inequality was private ownership of economic
resources.
• Private ownership make the owners wealthy and politically powerful.
• Marx advocated that public control over property is essential to tackle all types of inequality
in the society.
The Liberal View Point of Equality
• The liberals present a concept of equality which is opposite to the Marxian concept.
• The liberals believe that the state should try to ensure a minimum standard of living and
equal opportunities to all.
• People should get equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
Socialism
• Socialism is a political ideology which emerged as a response to the inequalities created by
the Industrial Capitalist system.
• Socialism tries to minimize existing inequality and distribute resources justly.
• Socialists are not against markets, they favour government control in certain key areas like
education and health care.
• Ram Manohar Lohya, an eminent socialist thinker of India, identified Five types of
inequalities. They are:
1. Inequality between Men & Women.
2. Inequality based on the colour of skin.
3. Inequality based on caste.
4. Colonialism.
5. Economic inequality
Feminism
• It is a doctrine which demands equal rights for women with men.
• The feminists believe that the inequality between me and women are not natural and
necessary.
• Gender inequality is the result of patriarchy.
Ways to promote Equality
• Mainly there are three methods for pursuing equality.
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1. Establishing formal equality
• All unnecessary restrictions on political, social and economic rights should be brought to an
end.
• Most of the modern Constitutions contains provisions against discrimination on grounds of
religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
2. Equality through different Treatment
• Weaker sections need special consideration to overcome inequalities. For eg: Reservation
policy in India.
3. Affirmative action
• Affirmative actions are the positive measures taken to minimize and eliminate entrenched
forms of social inequalities.
• Scholarship and hostel facility to the weaker section and reservation system are examples of
affirmative actions.
Positive Discrimination or Protective Discrimination
• Positive discrimination considers that all discriminations are not wrong.
• It is also against the concept of absolute equality.
• According to this concept, the government can adopt several measures to uplift and protect
the weaker sections of the society who are socially and economically backward. It is known
as protective discrimination or positive discrimination.
JOBY JOHN, SJHSS Palavayal, KGD
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