3 EQUALITY

All about this chapter

Why Equality? Because we are faced with Great Inequalities

.Whatis Equality?
Natural and Social Inequalities
.Various Dimensions or Forms of Equality
Feminism: Gender Equality
Marxist View of Equality
Liberal Theories of Equality
Socialism
How canEquality be Promoted?
Critical Evaluation of Affirmative Action

Equality is an assertion of "Equal Standing" of all persons. Just like liberty, the
doctrine of equality too has been a source of great inspiration for the people. On
July 4, 1776 the American Colonies made a declaration of their Independence.
It
said: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all Men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Similarly, in the year 178,
the National Assembly of France declared: "All human beings are born free and
and rights." These very words have been reproduced in the
equal in dignity
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The idea of equality is also enshrined in
the Constitution of India.

WHY EQUALITY? BECAUSE WE ARE FACED

WITH GREAT INEQUALITIES
Although 'Equality' has been asserted to be a self-evident truth. But the global
eality is the poverty, disease and vast inequalities between different social classes
of vast significance.
Realisation of this goal-Equality-is

B-26
The Global Inequalities
tofthe world is entirely free from social
NOh
r
the
cOountries, there are pockets or areas of and economic inequalities. Even in
rips' population was about 19 extreme poverty. The
C o u n t

of high income
percent the world population, as it stood in
cat 2011, but the citizens of these
al national income. But there is still acountries enjoyed nearly 68 percent of the
global

dire misery in the rich countries. Theconsiderable

dire misery
World
number of people who lived
following picture of 8laring Inequality of income Bank Report (2011) revealed the
and wealth at the
global level:
Glaring Inequalities
Countries
Percentage of Percentage of
Global GDP Global Population
Low Income Countries 0.8 11.8
Middle Income Countries 31.7 69.4
High Income Countries 67.5 18.8
Total (World) 100 100

Inequalities in India
Some idea of the prevailing inequalities can be had from some well-known data in
this regard. For example, as per National Statistical Office (NSO) data for 2017-18,
the literacy rate in the country had gone up to 77.7 percent from 64.84 percent in
2001. The male literacy was 84.7 percent and female literacy about 70.3 percent.
Literacy rate among the SCs and the STs was still low. After more than 70 years of
the working of the Constitution, the desired goal of social justice had not been
translated into reality. According to a question answered in Indian Parliament in
July 2019, of the 89 Secretary level Officers in the Central Government only 4
belonged to the SCs/STs categories.
Gender Equality is another important problem which has not yet been resolved
to numerous restrictions and discriminations of
properly. Women are subjected
across the caste, religious and ethnic divisions.
various types. Such discriminations cut
and communities bear the stamp of
In other words, women belonging to all castes
inferior status.
nature of inequalities that make Equality an objective which we are
This is the
trying to achieve.

WHAT IS EQUALITY7

human beings claim as being free and equal?

In what sense could

B-27
 Does Equality Imply Treating All People in an Identical Manner?
We usually have a wrong notion of equality. A few prominent wd
Acton and Julian Huxley are of the view that equality means "to writers like Lo
inequalities." They criticised the principle ot Equality on the ground
all alike was both impracticable and unjust. People are born with differe at treatin
treating
downLordall
of head, heart and body. That is why differences are bound to be nt qualities
How can brass be turned into gold? The men of calibre and those wha there n society. qualiti
dull, the hard-working and those who shirk work, should never be givon are n
wages or reward. It is against all principles of he same entally
liberty
and
justice, Lord
maintained, that persons belonging to difterent categories, should enjoy the Acton
status. Inequalities are inescapable facts. he same

Correct View of Equality: Equality of Opportunities

Equality does not imply sameness or absolute equality among people. By eo
it is meant that "equals ought to be treated alike in the
respect in equality
which they
:are
equal." The principle of equality lays emphasis on
that each individual should get "equal oPportunities" to
"impartiality." It underli
develop all hisfacultiies.
Nobody's intellect or capability should remain undeveloped for want of promr
opportunities. This could be understood better with the help of a few examni
In the field of education equality would mean that
everybody should havae
schooling. It does not mean that all children should be declared as passed without
a test or all should be awarded
equal marks. Besides, equality does not mean that
every child should become a scientist or an engineer. The students would be receiving
education and training different from one another in accordance with their
mental
capability and aptitude. It does suit the society as well, which needs various vocations
and professions to meet all its different
requirements. So the principle of equal
opportunities would simply mean "appropriate opportunities for all."

NATURAL AND SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

We have already referred to the fact that men are by nature unequal. So long as
natural inequalities exist, it is impossible to ask for perfect equality. But no talent
in society should be allowed to rust for want of
opportunities.
Natural Inequalities
Natural inequalities are the result of mental and physical capabilities with which
we are born. When we see people around us we find that they are very different
in their physical appearances, in the mental faculties they possess and in their social
and political standing. Because of such differences among people there are bouna
to be differences of status and power.

B-28
Social Inequalities
Soc

neaualities arise because of discrimination

goc
al inequaliti

or sex.Differences grounds of religion, race, caste

on
D of this kind are
shown up as inferior inregarded be unjust. For instance, the women
to
r long
were sh
were

position and status'strength'

o r

they had a d a lower

and 'skills' to those of men.
in
society. In fact, we were not
Therefore,
ring women equal rights with
men.
Istified in
justified
deny
dnited Inited States
States were Similarly, the Blacks in South Africa and
the subjected to intense hard work and
lavery . All these practices were rooted in conditions no better than
some very
wrong notions about the
natural capabilities'of the Blacks and
Women.
In fact, it was not 'nature' but
'society' which built up "wall
of inferiority" around the Blacks, the Women and other
disadvantaged sections of society, the dalits, etc. Here we come
ta the crux of the matter. Natural
differences do not mean
ineguality. It is the social, religious, gender or racial
discrimination that we demand should not happen. All
citizens should be equal before law in the matter of access to
all opportunities and other freedoms. Discrimination, if
any,
should be based on rational ground. For example, the Constitution
of India permits the State to make any Special Provision for
SCs, STs and socially and educationally backward classes of Nelson Mandela
citizens.

He fought the legal and political inequality being practised against the Blacks in
South Africa. The racist regime fell and Mandela was sworn in as the President of
South Africa on 10 May, 1994. He decided to retire in June, 1999 and departed for
his heavenly abode on 5 December, 2013.

Entrenched Inequalities
Inequalities
called Entrenched
Inequalities which remain unchanged for generations
are
exist in a society, they are
such as class and gender inequalities. If such inequalities
classes who had enjoyed wealth and power
more dangerous because the privileged
it ditficult to reform such a social order.
Over generations would make
OR FORMS OF EQUALTY
VARIOUS DIMENSIONS
dimensions of equality need
of equality. Four principal
There are various aspects Political and Legal Equality, (2) Social Equality,
are: (1)
to be explained. These
and (4) Gender Equality.
8) Economic Equality,
Foltical Equality that all citizens should
means
1. Political and Legal Equality: the criminals, the insane and
access to poitical rignts. Excluding
have an equal

B-29
 the children, all citizens should have equal citizenship rights, inchud.

to vote, freedom of speech,

freedom of religion and freedom from ding the
the ight
bitrary arrest.
It is wrong to deprive anyone of the right to vote on grounds only rary art
race, caste or sex. Until the early years of the 20th century women's

made little progress. One of the arguments advanced against

religihadon,
women's suttrage
vote to women was that it would destroy the peace in the hom giving the rig
use the
husband and wife cannot always be expected to vote for the samSe
candidate. The argument did not seem reasonable. The right to vote isa party or
right of each citizen. erent
Secondly, every citizen must have the right to get elected to a political off.
to get an administrative post without any discrimination whatsoever. Democ orffice
implies an active participation of citizens in decision-making process.y
ess.
racy
Thirdly, there is an obvious link between the political and legal equality.
before the law means that law would protect all equally whether one is wealth Equality
or poor, holding a high ofice or a lower one, whether one is a man or a woman
or has white skin or a black one.
2. Social Equality: In fact, the concept of equality was first developed in the fom
of social equality. Even in those days when political equality and democracy were
unknown, there were social reformers and teachers who preached social equalit
Kabir, Dadu and Guru Nanak denounced Casteism and gave a call to rise above
this evil. They also said it was an evil to discriminate between people on grounds
only of sex or religion.
The cardinal principles of Social Equality are:
() No one should be subjected to discriminatory treatment on grounds of race,
religion or caste. Constitution of India eloquently proclaimed that no person
shall be denied access to public restaurants, shops or public wells on grounds
only of religion, race or caste. The Indian Constitution has abolished
Untouchability.
(i1) A social order based on inter-caste marriage and social intercourse among
different communities shall be encouraged.
(ii) Nobody shall be considered inferior or superior to others on the basis ot the
colour of his skin. In the United States two types of cultures had developed
in the schools where children of the Whites and the Blacks received education
together. It led William Ryan to say in great aguish, "we are dealing,
would seem, not with culturally deprived children, but with culturaly
depriving schools."

3. Economic Equality: Economic inequality exists when there are large differences
in wealth or income between individuals or classes in a society. There are tvo

B-30
 suring the degree of economic
ys of measuring
inequalities in a society: One way is
relative difference between the richest
measure relativ
and the
to
waymecalculate
to calculate the member of
peopleliving Below the
poorest groups. Other
economic equality (provISion of equal resources to Poverty
Line.
Lste
all) is neither possible
A b s o l u

ADirable. Even Communist States-China and Cuba-offered

nives many material
n o r

ntives to those
thos who
produced more or worked better than others. The various
spects of economic equality are as follows:
A Inegualities ought to be
Reduced to the Minimum: We
cannot approve of
a SVstem that continues to widen the gap between the
rich and the poor.
Harold Laski said, "nobody should possess such an amount of wealth as
would make the State very largely an institution dominated the owners
by
of private property." Political thinkers have spoken of "a tolerable
range"
within which wages and income can vary.
(i) All Have a Right to Bare Minimum: One's basic needs for such things as
food, clothing and shelter should be satisfied. Economic equality implies
that all should have the Right to Work. There should also be a system of
Social Security (public, i.e., state assistance) in cases of unemployment, old
age, etc.

(Hi) Equal Pay for Equal Work: Another dimension of economic equality is that
there should be equal pay for equal work. In relation to wages, there should
not be any discrimination merely on ground of sex.

American Civil Rights Movement

the 1950s
Martin Luther King, Jr. rose to prominence in
American Civil Rights
and 1960s as the leader of the
in April 1968
Movement. In a letter written from prison
he said, "Perhaps it is easy
for those who have never
'wait. But
felt the dark of segregation to say
stinging mothers
vicious mobs lynch your
when you have seen brothers
drown your sisters and
and fathers at will and of your 20
see the vast majority
at whim; when you of
smothering in an airtight cage
million Negro brothers
affluent society.. then you
in the midst of an Martin Luther King, Jr.
poverty
we find it
difficult to wait" On 28
will understand why demonstration in Washington
(1929-68)
mammoth
August he led a He
| have a Dream' speech.
delivered his famous
and 1968.
Memphis on 4 April
at
assassinated
was

B-31
 FEMINISM: GENDER EQUALITY

that
Feminism is "the political belief
women should have the same rights,
that men
power and opportunities
does not mean that w o m e n
have."It
and men have to become the same.
It is not possible;
at all it is unnatural
Gender equality means that
tobe so.
one's rights will not depend on

whether one is born a male or a

female. Gender inequality arises

from the system called 'Patriarchy' TheCentral Reserve Police Force
in which men have had all the inducted Women Commandoes in(CRP
its
power and importance in a society. Commando Battalion for Resolute Action
(COBRA) on 6 February, 2021
On 29 June, 2006, women in Kuwait
voted for the first time in Parliamentary elections. Even in those countries wher
nere
women have been enjoying political rights for a long time, political processes
are
usually male-centred.
Feminism today is an ideology with many suPporters. They have been demanding
equality of opportunity in social, political and economic spheres. Feminists maintain
that much of discrimination between men and women is caused by society and
not by nature. Although female politicians have attained much fame in some countries,
the number of women in the national legislatures of most countries is immensely
disproportionate to their share of the population. In India the following issues came
up under sharp focus during the last forty years: (i) sex-determination test,
(i) discrimination in employment, (iii) indecent representation of women in
advertisements, (io) immoral traffic in human beings, (v) domestic violence and dowrY
deaths, and (vi) enabling rape victims to live a normal and respectable lite again.
Development, i.e. to provide capabilities and opportunities
to women, is seen as one ot the ways to bring about a positive
change in the status of women. But to give them a feeling
of security needs strengthening the forces of law and order.

Kuwaiti legislature passed a law in May 2005 giving women

the right to vote and the right to contest an election for the
50-member National Assembly. Members of the security forces
are not allowed to vote even noW in Kuwait. Women voters
who constitute 57 per cent of the total electorates voted for
the fist time in Parliamentary elections held in June 2006. Women in Kuwait at
a Polling Booth
B-32
 Supreme Court's Directives
The.

2021 the
n
1 8 March, Supreme
Court
directed in India to
judges
oid using following words in
dicial orders, because such
expressions diminished women's
dignity and Gender Equality:
Women are physically weak and
need protection
"Good" women are sexually
chaste
Women should be submissive and obedient
Wearing certain clothes make women
responsible for being attacked
. Lack of evidence of physical harm in sexual offence case leads to an inference of
consent by the woman
Men are the "head" of the household
A woman consuming alcohol, smoking, etc., may justify unwelcome advances by
men

(Source: Hindustan Times, March 19, 2021)

MARXIST VIEW OF EQUALITY

The Marxists placed much emphasis on "economic equality." According to them,
economic power ultimately controls political and cultural life of a community
Therefore, abolition of private property is necessary to ensure equality. Their
objective is to transfer "private assets" into "public ownership", i.e. nationalisation
of land, factories, mines, banks and other means of production and distribution.
Such a system would be achieved by means of a violent revolution. There has got
to be a 'Dictatorship of the Proletariae' betore full Communist System could emerge.
The Marxist model in the former Soviet Union (Russia) and many other countries
ended in failure. The Marxists were made to accept the merits of the multiparty
system, competitive elections and a liberal or Free Market economy.

LIBERAL THEORIES OF EQUALITY

Lord Acton, Isaiah Berlin and Hayek sought to equate socio-economic inegualities

inequalities. ACCording to them, the notion of equalitygoes against the

with natural
eniovment of liberty. Tney
wantea to solve all our problems through the forces of
Economy, 1.e., privatisation of industries. Privatisation, according
to
the Market
tha a k e s business competitive and improves the quality of goods produced.

B-33
 principle of equality for tha.
the
They were also prepared to sacrifice sake of upholding
uphol:
individuals. These thinkers put great emphasis
the freedom of
Individualism
n

and Competitiveness.
that "liberty and
But the later liberal
writers were

no freedom or liberty
convinced
could be found in a a sfound equality supplement
eausL

each other and that with society

Pollard said, "there is only one sol with
economic and social inequalities." tion of the
problem of liberty. It lies in Equality." Political freedom, for instance, has
until the people are provided With tood, clothing and shelter. Laski
shelter. Laski saualue value
masters and servants,"
says, "where
there are rich and poor.. we find always and no

democracy." genuine
SOCIALISM
Socialism refers to an economic system based on State ownership of the mea
production, distribution and exchange. Most of the socialist thinkers condem of
violence for achieving their goals. Once the socialists won power through ratic
means, they would start translating into action their dreams of a socialist socieh
ty.
The term Welfare State' gained wider currency in many Socialist Countries
especially in Britain after the Second World War. Socialist states laid great stress on
providing public assistance in cases of unemployment, sickness and injury.

"Liberty is inseparable from equality. Real unity could be brought aboutby removing
all the distinctions of high and low, rich and poor, and touchables and untouchables"
-Ram Manohar Lohia

In India Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (1910-1967) had been

a powerful preacher of socialist thought. Lohia's socialism
implied equality in all the walks of life. He laid stress on
four kinds of equalities: (1) material, i. e., economic
equality,
(i) spiritual equality, i.e., kinship or a feeling that we all
are members of the same
family;
when such a feeling
develops, caste restrictions will disappear automatically,
(iii) equality between man and woman, and (iv) equality
among nations, which means that there should not be any
domination or control by one country over others.
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia

HOW CAN EQUALITY BE PROMOTED?

We have discussed the
problem equality and examined its various
of
We have also pointed out its relation with liberty. The question is as to how can
dimensions

B-34
 we equality. What policies should be adopted in order that the ideal of
omote eq
eguality is realised.

Eauality, i.e. Equality before Law: Absence of Privileges

o

citizens should enjoy equal protection of the laws of land. There should be no
A ination between one person and another on grounds of religion, race, caste
discri
o rs e x
No person should have any privileges on these grounds or any of them. For
ample, women shall not be deprived of political rights, the right to vote or to
public offices, only on the ground that they are women. Similarly, a child shall
hold
b e denied admission to an educational institution on account of race or colour
ais skin. No talent in the society would be wasted for want of money or
encouragement.

Our Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, sex, etc.

ntouchability has been abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.

Equality by Way of Separate Treatment for Different Classes of Persons

The principle behind the idea of Equality is that all persons should be treated alike
both in privileges conferred and duties imposed. But varying needs of different
classes of persons often required separate treatment. Some persons or a class of
persons have a legitimate reason to be granted special concessions. Special educational
institutions have to be provided for the disabled, blind and deaf and the sum spent
on their education per child is much higher than that spent on the education of
normal children. Similarly, special provisions may be made for the "less advantaged"
or the backward classes of citizens, so as to enable them to compete with those who
have a better socio-economic background. The elderly people have to spend a lot
on health care and in meeting their diverse needs. Therefore, they are granted tax
concessions. The banks also offer a higher rate of interest on fixed deposits to senior
citizens. Such measures cannot be treated as violative of the principle of equality.
But the discrimination, if any, must not be arbitrary; it should be based on some
"real or rational ground."
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action means the deliberate policy of giving preferential treatment
to some disadvantaged groups in society. Such an action has been taken to help
(i) women, (ii) the disabled, (11) the minorities, (10) a few racial or ethnic groups,
of society. Affirmative action is often referred
and (v) other disadvantaged sections
to as Positive and Reverse Discrimination. The following measures have been taken
of discrimination.
to correct the effect of past practices
1. Reservation in Legislatures: In India we have reservation of seats in the Lok
Assemblies for SCs and STs.
Sabha and Legislative

B-35
 Services: In order to have adequate representation of SCs andst
ace

2. Reservation in
c o n c e s s i o n s are given to them, such and
such S
in government services, many as
of age limit and relaxation
in the standard of suitability. san
Twenty relaxation
seats have been reserved in Civil Services Government of ent of
under the ent
Ind
favour of OBCs (Other Backward Classes).

3. Educational Facilities:
Seats have been reserved for SCs and STs in all
all agovernmen
e

A Constitution AmMeny
institutions, including institutions of higher learning.
to provide for reservations for OBC in BCs in centrally
Act, 2005, empowered government
the lTls and IIMs.
funded higher-education institutions, such
as

In the United States also many State Universities, like the University of Califo.
have undertaken affirmative action programmes. In Britain admission officou ornia,
at
a few Universities have been directed to look at students' background if H
heir
marks were equal.
Here mention may be made of a few other measures aimed at promotino
the
welfare of weaker sections of society in India, such as hostels for SCs and ST
STs
boys and girls.
4. Affirmative Action to Benefit Women: Besides hostels for SCs and STs girls
assistance is available to Mahila Mandals to convert Anganwadi Centres into
Anganwadi-cum-Creche Centres. Assistance is provided to Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) for construction of Working Women's Hostels. Voting rights
give the ultimate decision-making power to women. In India at least one-third
of total number of seats in urban and rural local institutions have been reserved
for women. But the women representation in the Lok Sabha and State legislatures
was never adequate.

CRITICAL EVALUATION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Affirmative action continues to be intensively controversial in India and in other

countries. The critics of such policies insist that:
1. Affirmative action goes against our cherished Ideal of Equality.
2. It stands in the way of Meritocracy. In other words, there should be society in
which people have power or prestige because of their abilities rather than caste,
race, sex or other artificial criteria. The policy of reservations is unfair to meritorious
persons.
3. Affirmative action can never help in achievirng our goal of eliminating discrimination
Rather it promotes positive or reverse discrimination where General Category
persons are denied jobs or admissions for no other reason than their caste. The
founders of modern India-men ike Nenru and Lohia-had vision of a country

B-36
 would become irrelevant in the course of time. But the problem with
yhere c a s t e w o

today'scaste-based reservation is that we shall never achieve this objective.

caste-based res

Us Sum Up
Let
dpbate over reservations should not lose sight of the fact that there still exist
The
a n t inequalities. And the private organisations, the business houses and
rotional institutions have failed taking an affirmative action voluntarily. Theretore,
m
aciTes such as reservations were required so long as the structure of inequality
e a s u

existed.

Tt was the desire of the framers of the Constitution to protect the interests of SCs
and STs, through reservation of seats, only for a period of 10 years from the
rommencement of the Constitution. But these safeguards were later extended a
nimber of times by constitutional amendments. The continuation of Safeguards
after more than seventy years of Independence should be a matter of serious concern.
The policy of reservations in India deserves to be rationalised, in view of the
fact that a few Upper Castes' leaders are also demanding reservation in jobs and
educational institutions.

Summary of the main points

Equality is an assertion of "equal standing" of all persons.

Why Equality? Because we are faced with Great Inequalities: No part of the world
is free from social and economic inequalities. In India the literacy rate is 2011 among
the SCs and STs was still too low. Female literacy was also lower, compared with
that of men.
What is Equality? Equality does not imply treating all people in an identical manner.
People are born with different qualities of head, heart and body. The principle of
equality underlines that each individual should get "equal opportunities" to develop
all his faculties.
Natural and Social Inequalities: Natural inequalities are the result of mental and
with which we are born. Social inequalities arise because of
physical capabilities
discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.

Entrenched Inequalities: Inequalities which remain relatively untouched over

generations are called Entrenched Inequalities. These inequalities are very much
harmful for a society.
Various Dimensions of Equality. Political equality, i.e. all should have an equal
access to political rights and civil liberties, such as treedom of speech and freedom
of religion, etc.-Social equality means that no one should be subjected to

B-37
 discriminatory treatment on grounds of race, religion orr caste-Economic
the caste-Econo equality
to be reduced to the minimum and
implies that inequalities ought all should have
a right to bare minimum.

Feminism, ie., Gender Equality: of ddiscrimination

Feminists maintain that much of
between men and women is caused by society and not by nature.
Marxist View of Equality: They want nationalisation of land, factories, bante
other means of production.
banks and
Liberal Theories of Equality: The liberal thinkers put great emphasis on Individol
and Competitiveness (Market Economy)-But liberty and equalitysupplemente
each
other.
Socialism: Socialists also believe in a system based on State ownership of the mear
of production-The term 'Welfare State' gained wider currency in many Socialie
neans
countries, especially in Britain after the Second World War. Dr. Lohia's socialism
m
implied economic equality, spiritual equality, equality between sexes and equalitu
among nations.
How can Equality be Promoted? () Formal equality, ie., Equality before Law
N;
(i) Equality by way of Separate Treatment for Different Classes of Persons, such as
women, children and the less advantaged classes; and (ii) Affirmative Action in the
form of reservation of seats in legislatures, in services and in educational
institutions.
Affirmative Action to benefit women and disadvantaged sections of
society.
Critical Evaluation: Affirmative action has been criticised on a number of
The most important criticism is that Affirmative Action stands in
grounds.
the way of
Meritocracy-But reservation is required as long as the structure of Inequality existed.

EXERCISES
A. Following Questions carry 1 Mark each
(Answers should not exceed 20 Words each)
1. (a) Why do we need
Equality?
Ans. Because society is faced with vast
social and economic. inequalities in every
sphere-political,
(b) What are natural inequalities?
Ans. Natural inequalities are the result of mental and
with which we are born. physical capabilities
(c) What is the Socialists' main belief?
Ans. The Socialists believe in a
system based on State
means of production. But unlike the Marxists, ownership of the
they condemned violence for
achieving their goals.

B-38
 nWrite 'Yes' or
'No in the bracket given after each
statement:
(Equality means that all
children should be awarded
marks. equal
() Political equality means that
the right to vote on nobody
be should deprived of
grounds only of religion, caste or sex.
(ii1) It is a violation of the
principle of equality that banks provide
higher rate of interest on fixed
(iv) Giving women the
deposits to senior citizens.
in the home.
right to vote would destroy the pecace
(v)Women are much affected by
as
as men are. government
Therefore, they deserve the right policies
to vote as a
means of
protecting their interests.
(vi) Giving priority to senior citizens in
a violation of
the principle of
Railway reservations is
Equality.
(vii) The Canadian Government until 1960
Whites to get domiciled in permitted only the
Canada, which went against
the concept of Equality.
Ans. (1) No (ü) Yes (ii) No (io) No () Yes (vi) No (vii) Yes
B. Following Questions carry 2 Marks each
(Answers should not exceed 40 Words each)
2. (a) What is Feminism?
Ans. Feminism is "the belief that women should have the same
rights, power
and opportunities that men have". In other words, one's rights should not
depend on whether one is born a male or a female.
(6) Name any two ways in which Equality could be promoted.
Ans. (i) All citizens should enjoy equal protection of Laws of the land. No
one should have any privileges on grounds of religion, caste or sex.
Gi) Another way of providing equality is 'Affirmative Action', i.e., the policy
of giving jobs and other opportunities to disabled people.

C. Multiple Choice Questions

3. (a) Which one of the following is not a means of providing Social Equality?

i) Right to Vote.
health care to all.
(ii) Providing adequate
with men.
iii) Giving w o m e n equal rights
and equal chance to compete for social goods.
(io) To provide fair
Ans. Right to Vote

B-39
 should have the same rights
(b)The belief that women as
en is called:
() Patriarchy (ii) Feminism
(ii) Racism (iv) Anarchy
Ans. Feminism

which of the following factors would

( Measurising determine the
Line?
(i) Social Inequalities
Poverty
(i) Economic Inequalities
(ii) Political inequalities (iv) Natural Inequalities
Ans. Economic Inequalities
(d) Which among the following is not a part of the Marxist Ideoloos2

) Root cause of Inequality lies in Private Ownership of means of

of the means of producing
duction.
(it) There should be social or public ownership
things.
ii) Private ownership gives political power to owners of wealth.
(io) A highly competitive market system results in peace and prosperity.
Ans. A highly competitive market system results in peace and
prosperity
(e) What name should be given to a social, economic and cultural
system
that
values men more than women?
) Patriarchy (ii) Feminism
(i) Racism (io) Hate Campaign
Ans. Patriarchy

D. Following Questions carry 4 Marks each

(Answers should not exceed 100 Words each)
4. Comment on the statement that
"varying needs of different classes of persons
often required separate treatment".
5. Distinguish between Political
Equality and Social Equality.
6. Discuss Marxist
viewpoint regarding Equality.
E. Following Questions carry 5 to 6 Marks each
(Answers should not exceed 150 Words each)
7. Explain the meaning of the term
"Equality. Do you agree with the view that
Equality should mean
appropriate opportunities for all.
8. What is meant by:
(a) Natural Inequalities?
(b) Social Inequalities?

B-40
 Economic Equality
is neither
mean? What are the possible
Absolute

9. A
Economimic Equality nor desirable. What does then
various aspects of Economic
Or Equality?
ualities ought to be reduced to the
minimum and all have
hare minimum. Comment on this statement. a
right to the

10.
at is meant by Affirmative Action? What are the main criticisms
Affirmative Action? against
E Cartoon-based Question
Chtdy the Cartoon given below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
To ensure a fair selection
you all get the
ame test. You must all climb
that tree.

(NCERT Textbook)
Questions:
1. Does the situation in the given Cartoon ensure a fair selection?
2. What type of Inequality is found in the given Cartoon?
3. How can we promote Equality in view of the situation depicted in the Cartoon?

A Guideline:
1. We find in this Cartoon a situation of formal equality where everyone is required
of
to do the same piece irrespective of their natural differences. This cannot
work,
ensure a fair selection.

2. Natural Inequality situation

when we treat unequals equally. Such a
3. We can not promote equality
are given
different tasks to do.
required that they