INTRODUCTION Equality

Like liberty is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy. The American Declaration of
Independence in 1776 proclaims that " We hold these truths to be evident that all men are
created equal ". The French Declaration of Rights of Man (1789) also emphasizes " Men are
born , and always continue , free and equal in respect of their rights". The Charter of United
Nations also recognizes equality in international sphere when it says : " The organization is
based on the principles of sovereign equality of all its members".

Meaning
► Equality means that all men are equal and should be entitled equal , opportunity and
treatment.
► Equality means all things that are equal when measured by society's standards.
► Everyone or everything is on the same level in ability, rank, quality, quantity or social
standing.
► Fairness is an essential feature of equality.
► The objective is for all people to receive fair treatment regardless of their background or
social status.
► Government services are one measure of how equality works in everyday life.
► For example, when applying for a driver's license, everyone is given the same written and
vehicle operation test. Equality plays a role in both the public and private sectors on issues of
employment.
► Workplaces commonly have non-discrimination policies based on the principle of equality.
Ideally, employees are treated equally while on the job.
► Equality can also be applied to anything that is uniform in nature.

Definition
► Prof Barker:-equality is derived from the supreme value of the development of in each like
and equally , but each along its own different time and its own separate motion".
 Nature
► Liberty and Equality taken together, describe the conditions of human liberation. The
problem of equality and inequality has figured in political thought since earliest times.
► Aristotle discovered that 'inequality' was a cause of rebellion in many a state. It is essential
to note that the modern idea of equality is derived from the theory of rights. Equality is a
'prescriptive' term and not a 'descriptive' term.

Types/Classification Kinds of Equality

► Legal.
► Natural.
► Political.
► Social.
► Economic.
► International.

Legal Equality
Legal equality or equality before law is fundamental to legal justice. Legal equality implies that
all are alike in the eye of law and that are entitled to its equal protection. The rich and poor ,
the high and low should all be treated alike.
► No distinction should be made between man and man on the ground of social status,
religious faith or political opinion. In short, Legal equality or equality before law implies absence
of discrimination.
► The Rule of Law is practiced in the Great Britain and many other countries of the world.
 Natural Equality
Natural equality rests on the principle that nature has created every one as equals. On the
contrary, in reality we can seldom find such equality, as the world is prone with more
inequalities than equality. People differ greatly in their intelligence, height, colour, physical
strength and mental makeup.
► Natural equality is meant as the provision of equal treatment and equal opportunities to all
human beings, irrespective of natural differences.
► It implies that all men are born free and equal and are endowed with equal gifts and talents.
It also means that the State should try to reduce inequality, rather than increase it.
► The State should provide those social and economic opportunities that offer equal chances.
► Natural equality is rather an ideal and not an immediate reality. This ideal should be attained
in a society as far as possible.

Political Equality
Political Equality implies that everyone has equal access to the avenues of power. All citizens
whatever may be their differences in status , education and wealth should have an equal voice
in the management of public affairs and in holding public offices.
► Universal adult franchise is the expression of political equality.
► All democratic countries are based the principle of "one man , one vote , one value" is
faithfully adopted.
► Equality of opportunity in getting elected and in holding public offices , freedom of
expression and association and rights to seek redressal of public grievances are the important
pillars of political equality.

Social Equality
It means that all citizens are entitled to enjoy equal status in society and no one is entitled to
special privileges. There may be rational distinction in the society with regard to occupation and
professions, but the feeling of inferiority and superiority should not be attached to these.
► It stands for all should be treated equally in the eyes of law, no discrimination on grounds of
colour, caste, creed, sex, religion etc. , removal of social stigmas like untouchability .
► On the 101th December ,1948. UNO, declared the charter of Human Rights which laid stress
on social equality.
 Economic Equality
Economic equality involves a certain level of income and removal of gross inequalities of
wealth.
► Economic equality is the prerequisite for the existence and enjoyment of political, social and
legal equality. It does not mean equal distribution of wealth, which is not practical, but prevent
the concentration of wealth in a few hands. Economic condition of an individual essentially
influences his political condition.
► It means that there should be equal opportunity to all citizens in matters of availability of
consumer goods, wealth and property.
► Similarly every one should have the same facility for jobs, work and in industry. There should
be equal wages for equal work

International Equality
It means the principle of equality shall be extended to all people in all the countries. The same
is true of nations and states. There cannot be different treatment between states and between
people.