Dimensions of Equality

Political Equality: 

• It is important to eliminate any legitimate obstacles which may prohibit individuals from a voice in government and deny them admittance to available social goods
• Certain basic rights become centered around equal citizenship like the right to vote, freedom of expression, movement and association and freedom of belief
• These are considered necessary to enable citizens to develop themselves and participate in the affairs of the state

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Social Equality :

• The first step in the pursuit of equality is the Equality before Law or Political Equality however it needs to be complemented with the equality of opportunities
• The pursuit of equality requires that people belonging to different groups and communities have a fair and equal chance to compete for those goods and opportunities
• A certain minimum conditions of life can be ensured to all members of the society only by minimizing the effects of socio-economic inequalities
• In India, it’s not only the lack of equal opportunities or facilities but a special issue that may exist centered around some of the customs which prevail across the country, or among different groups. For instance,  women may not enjoy equal rights of inheritance in some groups
• Significant role of states: It should make policies to prevent discrimination or harassment of women in public places or employment, etc

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Economic Equality:

• They exist in a society if there are significant differences in wealth, property or income between individuals or classes
• Measuring degree of economic inequality

• Quantifying the relative economic difference existing between the richest and poorest group of individuals
• Estimating the ratio of population who live below the poverty line

• With sufficient efforts there is always a possibility of improving one’s standard of living in a given society. However, despite these the inequalities may still exist even in the face of equal opportunities

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Danger of Inequalities:

• Inequalities which remain relatively untouched over generations are more dangerous for a society
• Division of classes: If in a society certain classes of people have enjoyed considerable wealth over generations

• Violence and resentment may become widespread over time due to differences
• It would be tough to form an open and egalitarian society via reforms due to the power of the wealthy class of people

Ways to Promote Equality

Establishing Formal Equality:

• The formal institution of inequality and privileges must be put to end
• Customs and Legal Systems across the world have protected the inequalities and marginalized some members of the society and kept them from enjoying certain rewards and opportunities
• Equality can be attained only when all of these privileges and restrictions are ended.
• Equality can be realised when the laws of the land and the government stop sheltering the gross inequalities in any form as many of them have their validation

Equality Through Differential Treatment:

• In order to make sure that people can reap the benefit of the rights conferred on them, they sometimes need to be treated differently
• Hence, for such scenarios, the fundamental differences between the people has to be recognised. For example, disabled people for fair access to public buildings need ramps and other such friendly infrastructure
• Affirmative Action has also been used by several countries in order to augment the equality of opportunity

Affirmative Action:

• It isn’t adequate to set up proper balance by law and it is important to go to some more certain lengths to limit and kill dug-in types of social disparities

• It is designed to correct the cumulative effect of past inequalities
• It can take many forms, from preferential spending on facilities for disadvantaged communities, such as, scholarships and hostels to special consideration for admissions to educational institutions and jobs
• India has adopted a policy of quotas or reserved seats in education and jobs to provide equality of opportunity to deprived groups

• Special protection: Certain groups have been victims of social prejudice and discrimination in the form of exclusion and segregation in the past and been denied equal opportunities
• Time-bound Special Assistance: Special consideration will enable these communities to overcome the existing disadvantages and then compete with others on equal terms

Criticism of Positive Discrimination:

• Against equality: Any provision of reservations for the deprived in admissions for higher education or jobs is unfair as it arbitrarily denies other sections of society their right to equal treatment
• Reverse discrimination: Equality requires that all persons be treated alike and when distinctions between individuals on the basis of their caste or colour are made it reinforce caste and racial prejudices

Reasons for Positive Discrimination:

• Guiding Principle: Distinction between equality as a guiding principle of state policy and equal rights of individuals. A fair competition should be there where individuals are equally considered for admission to educational institutions and employment in the public sector. This should be their right
  • Different circumstances: People from deprived strata may be at a disadvantage due to historical reasons. Members of excluded groups such as dalits, women, etc. deserve and need some special help
  • The state must devise social policies which would help to make such people equal and give them a fair chance to compete with others
  • Any policy that the state chooses would have to be justified in terms of their success in making the society more egalitarian and fair to all
  • A distinction of treating people identically and equally should be made while we reflect on the issue of equality
  • On occasions we may treat the latter in a different manner but under such circumstances too, the promotion of equality must be

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Conclusion

Three dimensions of equality are: Economic, Social and Political Equality.- Political equality means granting equal citizenship to all members of the state. Equal citizenship provides certain basic rights such as the right to vote, freedom of expression, movement and association and freedom of belief to everybody. They can participate in the affairs of the country.- Social equality means provision of equality in society. Equality of opportunities need to be provided so that minimum quality of life can be achieved.- Economic equality means granting equal economic opportunities to all.

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