EqualityEquality Equality is the pillar of democracy. The Equality is the pillar of democracy. The

concept of equality got popular in 18concept of equality got popular in 18thth century after the French revolution and the century after the French revolution and the American war of Independence. In 19American war of Independence. In 19thth and and 2020thth century it gained much popularity and century it gained much popularity and proclaim. In present age, the concept of proclaim. In present age, the concept of equality has been almost accepted by all the equality has been almost accepted by all the states.states.

Meaning of EqualityMeaning of Equality

In common usage equality means In common usage equality means equal income, equal distribution of money equal income, equal distribution of money and no discrimination should be made on and no discrimination should be made on the basis of one’s intelligence, ability, the basis of one’s intelligence, ability, education and commitment etc. But this is education and commitment etc. But this is not the correct meaning of equality. not the correct meaning of equality. Equality means to remove wide disparities Equality means to remove wide disparities in the society, to end special privileges, to in the society, to end special privileges, to give equal opportunities on the basis of give equal opportunities on the basis of ability and to make provisions to fulfill the ability and to make provisions to fulfill the basic needs of individuals. basic needs of individuals.

According to LaskiAccording to Laski

““Equality does not mean that identity Equality does not mean that identity of treatment and the sameness of of treatment and the sameness of rewards. If a bricklayer gets the same rewards. If a bricklayer gets the same reward as a mathematician or a scientist, reward as a mathematician or a scientist, the purpose of the society will be the purpose of the society will be defeated. Equality, therefore, means first defeated. Equality, therefore, means first of all the absence of special privileges and of all the absence of special privileges and in the second place it means that in the second place it means that adequate opportunities are laid upon to adequate opportunities are laid upon to all.” all.”

Characteristics of Characteristics of equalityequality

Absence of special rightsAbsence of special rights Equal opportunities for developmentEqual opportunities for development Fulfillment of minimum needsFulfillment of minimum needs Absence of class divisionsAbsence of class divisions Discrimination on relevant groundsDiscrimination on relevant grounds

Various Dimensions Of Various Dimensions Of EqualityEquality

Legal dimension of equalityLegal dimension of equality Political dimension of equalityPolitical dimension of equality Social dimension of equalitySocial dimension of equality Economic dimension of equalityEconomic dimension of equality

Legal dimension of Legal dimension of equalityequality

The concept of legal equality confirms The concept of legal equality confirms that all the citizens in the state are that all the citizens in the state are equal in the eyes of the law. Law and equal in the eyes of the law. Law and judiciary will not discrimination on the judiciary will not discrimination on the basis of wealth, colour, caste, creed or basis of wealth, colour, caste, creed or sex.sex.

Provisions of legal dimensions Provisions of legal dimensions Equality before lawEquality before law Equal protection of law Equal protection of law Provisions of equal lawProvisions of equal law

Equal rights to allEqual rights to all Equal opportunities in public appointmentsEqual opportunities in public appointments Special provisions for the weaker section Special provisions for the weaker section

of societyof society Prohibition of discriminationsProhibition of discriminations Absence of special privileges rational basis Absence of special privileges rational basis

of discriminationof discrimination

Political dimension of Political dimension of equalityequality

Political equality means that all the Political equality means that all the citizens of the state are provided equal citizens of the state are provided equal political rights. Citizens should be given political rights. Citizens should be given rights to participate in the affairs of the rights to participate in the affairs of the statestate

Characteristics of political equalityCharacteristics of political equality Right to voteRight to vote Right to contest the electionRight to contest the election Right to hold public officeRight to hold public office Right to appealRight to appeal Right to criticise the governmentRight to criticise the government Right to form the political partiesRight to form the political parties

Social dimension of Social dimension of equalityequality

Social equality means no discrimination Social equality means no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, creed, sex and on the basis of caste, colour, creed, sex and religion etc.religion etc.

Characteristics of social equalityCharacteristics of social equality Absence of special privilegesAbsence of special privileges Prohibition of discriminationsProhibition of discriminations Free access to public placesFree access to public places No discrimination on the basis of genderNo discrimination on the basis of gender Equality of opportunities in public Equality of opportunities in public

employmentemployment Provision of protective discriminationsProvision of protective discriminations

Economic dimensions of Economic dimensions of equalityequality

Economic equality does not Economic equality does not mean equal distribution of money. mean equal distribution of money. Economic equality means every person Economic equality means every person should have equal chances to earn his should have equal chances to earn his livelihood. Man’s fundamental needs livelihood. Man’s fundamental needs should be fulfilled and distribution of should be fulfilled and distribution of money should be fair.money should be fair.

Different aspects of economic equalityDifferent aspects of economic equality Equal opportunities to earn livelihoodEqual opportunities to earn livelihood Equal wages for the same jobEqual wages for the same job Fulfillment of basic needsFulfillment of basic needs

To reduce economic inequalitiesTo reduce economic inequalities Provision of economic securityProvision of economic security Just distribution of wealthJust distribution of wealth Just ownership of the means of productionJust ownership of the means of production Fixed hours to workFixed hours to work

Relationship between liberty Relationship between liberty and equalityand equality

Liberty and equality opposite to each otherLiberty and equality opposite to each other Nature has created all men equalNature has created all men equal Economic freedom and equality are equalEconomic freedom and equality are equal Competent individuals fail to show their Competent individuals fail to show their

competencycompetency Principal of equal freedom is wrongPrincipal of equal freedom is wrong

Liberty and equality are not Liberty and equality are not opposite to each otheropposite to each other

Purpose of both is samePurpose of both is same For the enjoyment of freedom equality is For the enjoyment of freedom equality is

neededneeded For civil liberty, equality before law is mustFor civil liberty, equality before law is must For political freedom equal opportunities For political freedom equal opportunities

are neededare needed Liberty and equality are pillars of Liberty and equality are pillars of

democracydemocracy Both have developed side by sideBoth have developed side by side

Relationship between Relationship between economic equality and economic equality and

political libertypolitical liberty It is impossible for a poor man to make proper use It is impossible for a poor man to make proper use of his right to voteof his right to vote

A poor man comes under the influence of A poor man comes under the influence of greedinessgreediness

Non use of vote by a poor manNon use of vote by a poor man A poor man can not contest electionsA poor man can not contest elections Poverty are to be a good leader, both are opposite Poverty are to be a good leader, both are opposite

to each otherto each other Political parties are under the control of rich peoplePolitical parties are under the control of rich people Press is an instrument of the richPress is an instrument of the rich No attention is paid to the petition of a poor personNo attention is paid to the petition of a poor person History support thisHistory support this

ConclusionConclusion

After reading above we can conclude After reading above we can conclude that equality means ending special rights that equality means ending special rights and providing equal chances to all the and providing equal chances to all the citizens. There is a close relationship citizens. There is a close relationship between liberty and equality. They are between liberty and equality. They are complementary to each other. There is complementary to each other. There is also a close relationship between political also a close relationship between political liberty and economic equality. Political liberty and economic equality. Political equality is just a fraud in the absence of equality is just a fraud in the absence of economic quality.economic quality.

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ByBy Dr. AMANDIP KAURDr. AMANDIP KAUR DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE,DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.