Equality

Introduction
• The concept of equality is sometimes confused with words
like identical, same, similar and equitable, but in political
terms, equality as a concept is different from all of them and it
is very difficult to define it as an abstract concept.

• The French Declaration of Rights categorically stated “Men

are born and always continue to be free and equal in respect
of their rights”

• The Preamble of the Indian Constitution defines Equality as

one of the four basic objectives of the Indian polity, the other
three being Justice, Liberty and Fraternity.
 Meaning
(1) Equality does not mean absolute equality: In common usage
equality is taken to mean full equality of treatment and reward for
all. It is demanded as natural equality. However, the notion of
natural and absolute equality of all cannot be fully accepted and
realised. Men are neither equal in respect of their physical
features nor in respect of their mental abilities. Their capacities
and abilities are different. As such equality of treatment and
rewards cannot be ensured. Rewards must depend upon the
actual abilities and work of various people. Hence equality does
not mean absolute and total equality.

(2) Equality means end of all man made inequalities and

discriminations- discriminations practiced and inequalities
maintained in the name of caste, colour, creed, religion, sex,
place of birth and the like
Definitions
• “The Right to Equality is a right to equal satisfaction of
basic human needs, including the need to develop
and use capacities which are specifically human.” -
D.D Raphall

• “Equality means that no man shall be so placed in

society that he can over-reach his neighbour to the
extent which constitutes a denial of latter’s
citizenship.” -Laski

• “Equality means equal rights for all the people and the
abolition of all special rights and privileges”. -Barker
Two aspects of Equality
• Negative equality implies abolition of all special
privileges and facilities which may be available to some
classes or some persons in society. It also stands for the
abolition of all man-made inequalities and
discriminations.

• Positive Equality stands for equal rights, equitable

distribution of resources , equal opportunities for
development and relative equality with due recognition of
merit, abilities and capacities of various persons.
Necessary Conditions for Equality

1. All persons are provided with adequate,

not equal, opportunities for the development
of their personalities.
2. No class or caste or group is given
special privileges which are denied to
others.
3. Rights are equally distributed among all.
4. All have equal access to opportunities
leading to equality.
Features/ Characteristics/ Nature
• 1. Equality does not stand for absolute equality. It
accepts the presence of some natural inequalities.
• 2. Equality stands for absence of all unnatural man-
made inequalities and specially privileged classes in the
society.
• 3. Equality postulates the grant and guarantee of equal
rights and freedoms to all the people- Absence of special
rights.
• 4. Equality implies the system of equal and adequate
opportunities for all the people in society for their
development.
• 5. Equality means equal satisfaction of basic needs of all the
persons before the special needs, and luxuries of some
persons may be met.

• 6. Equality advocates an equitable and fair distribution of

wealth and resources i.e. Minimum possible gap between the
rich and poor.

• 7. Equality accepts the principle of protective discrimination

for helping the weaker sections of society. In the Indian
political system, right to equality has been given to all and yet
there stands incorporated provisions for granting special
protection facilities and reservations to persons belonging to
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes Other Backward
Classes, minorities, women, and children.
Dimensions of Equality

1. Legal dimension of Equality

2. Political dimension of Equality
3. Social dimension of Equality
4. Economic dimension of Equality
Legal Dimension
• In the eighteenth century, the demand for legal equality was
raised to abolish aristocratic legal privileges and feudal
obligations.
• It meant equality before law and equal protection of law.
Equality meant that equals before law should be treated
equally by law. Law does not make distinction between the
rich and the poor and in the eyes of law, they are equal.
• Legal equality means equal laws for equals and unequal laws
for unequals, but the basis of discrimination should be
rational.
• Legal equality does not merely mean equal laws.
• It also means equal opportunities to get justice from the
courts. Legal equality is meaningless in the absence of equal
opportunity to get justice
• Characteristics of Legal dimension of equality:
(Explain points)
1. Equality before Law
2. Equal Protection of Law
3. Provision of equal laws
4. Equal Rights to all
5. Equal opportunities in Public appointments
6. absence of special privileges
7. Special provisons for the weaker section of society
8. Prohibition of discrimination
• Essential conditions to ensure legal Equality:
(Explain points)
1. Democracy
2. Supreme constitution
3. Independent judiciary
4. Constitutional remedies
5. Provision of free legal aid
6. Economic equality
Political dimension of Equality
• Political equality means granting equal citizenship to all
members of the state. equal citizenship provides certain
basic rights such as right to vote, freedom of expression,
movement and association and freedom of belief to
everybody. They can participate in the affairs of the
country.

• According to Laski, political equality means the authority

which exerts that power must be subject to rules of
democratic governance.
• Characteristics of Political Dimension of Equality:

(Explain points)
1. Right to vote
2. Right to contest election
3. Right to hold public office
4. Right to petition
5. Right to criticise government
6. Right to form political parties
• Essential conditions to ensure Political equality:
• (Explain points)
1. Economic security
2. Decentralization of administration
3. Education
4. Free Mass media
5. Social equality
6. democratic government
7. Legal equality
Social Dimension of Equality
• Social equality is concerned with equality of opportunity
for every individual for the development of his
personality.
• It means abolition of all kinds of discrimination based
upon caste, creed, religion, language, race, sex,
education, etc.
• Charactersitics of Social Equality: (Explain points)
1. Absence of special privilege
2. Prohibition of discrimination
3. Free access to public spaces
4. No discrimination on the basis of gender
5. Equal opportunity in public employment
6. Prohibition of protective discrimination
7. Provision of equal rights
• Essential conditions to ensure Social equality: (Explain
points)

1. To create awareness
2. Education
3. Economic equality
4. End superstitions
5. To end distinctions on the basis of caste, language, etc
6. Secularization of politics
7. Democratic governance
8. Equal rights to all
Economic Dimension of equality
• Equal opportunities to earn livelihood
• Man's basic needs are fulfilled

• Characteristics (Explain points)

• 1. Equal opportunities to earn livelihood
• 2. Equal wage for same work
• 3. basic needs are fulfilled
• 4. Fixed hours of work
• 5. Just distribution of wealth
• 6. To reduce economic inequalities
• 7. Absence of Human exploitation
• 8. Provision of economic security
• Necessary conditions for Economic Equality (Explain
points)
1. Mixed economy:
2. Man's basic needs are fulfilled
3. Equal opportunities to earn livelihood
4. Right to work
5. Economic security
6. Taxation system
7. Equal wages for equal work
8. Planning by state
9. Stop concentration of wealth in few hands
10. Special provsions for economically deprived people