Concept Of Equality

Equality is the foundation stone of democracy.

• The formation of the doctrine of equality is a contribution
of Greek political philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in
B.C’s and Rousseau in the eighteenth century.
• Rousseau advocated two types of inequalities present in
the society : 1.Natural inequality and 2. Conventional
Inequality
• The modern concept of equality is derived from the
theory of rights. Rights provide conditions in which
unequal men are treated equally.
• Equality implies a certain leveling process
• Equality implies the absence of special privileges
• Equality means provision for adequate opportunities to all
for the development of the personalities. ‘Adequate
opportunities’ does not imply ‘equal opportunities’
• Equal distribution of rights to all the individuals by the state.
• All should have equal access to opportunities leading to
equality.
• Equality means equality of rights and duties. It also means
equality before law and equal protection of law
Dimensions of Equality :
• 1. Legal Equality
• 2. Political Equality
• 3. Social Equality
• 4.Economic Equality
• 5. Natural Equality
Liberty and Equality :
• Liberty and Equality are contradictory to each other for the
following reasons.
1.Liberty means absence of restrain. Equality implies necessary
restraints for leveling purpose.
2.liberty needs a negative state with very limited functions. Equality
postulates a positive state with welfare functions.
3.Liberty needs maintenance of capitalism. Equality demands abolition
of capitalism.
4.The interference of state threatens liberty. The regulating powers of
the state are necessary for equality.
5.Man’s economic status is related to his ability and pursuit.
Liberty and Equality are closely related :
• 1.Equality abolishes inequalities of wealth and power and equality
becomes the basis of liberty.
• 2.Without equality there can be no democracy and without democracy
there can be no liberty. Real democracy rests on two pillars-liberty and
equality.
• 3.The economic conditions required for liberty and equality are the same.
• 4.Equality abolishes special privileges and liberty can exist only in the
absence of special privileges.
• 5.Both liberty and equality aim at the development of the personality of
the individual.
• 6.Liberty without equality has no meaning and equality without liberty
has no value.