Cheat Sheet: Equality | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Why Does Equality Matter?

Equality is a moral and political ideal asserting that every individual has equal worth, regardless of gender, race, colour, or nationality. It promotes equal consideration based on shared humanity, is enshrined in many constitutions, yet inequality persists globally and domestically, as evident in disparities such as slums alongside luxury housing.

Paradox of Equality

• Issue: Despite widespread acceptance of equality, inequality persists in wealth, opportunities, work practices, and power distribution.
• Challenge: Highlights the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors perpetuating inequality.
• Solution: Requires a comprehensive approach to promote fairness, justice, and equal opportunities.

What is Equality?

Natural vs. Social Inequalities

Challenges

• Long-standing inequalities may seem justified as “natural” (e.g., historical views of women as weaker).
• Some “natural” differences are alterable with technology (e.g., aids for disabilities), making the denial of opportunities unjust.
• Distinguishing natural vs. social inequalities is complex and not always clear for assessing laws and policies.

Three Dimensions of Equality

Ideologies on Equality

Rammanohar Lohia’s Socialism (Sapta Kranti)

• Identified five major inequalities: gender, skin colour, caste, colonial domination, and economic.
• Added two more: civil liberties, non-violence (Satyagraha).
• Argued each inequality has unique roots, requiring simultaneous action, unlike a class-only focus.

How to Promote Equality

Establishing Formal Equality

• End legal systems of inequality and privileges; e.g., the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or birthplace.
• Abolishes practices like untouchability; most democracies adopt equal treatment by law.

Equality Through Differential Treatment

• Different treatment may be needed for equal rights; e.g., ramps for the disabled to access public spaces.
• Affirmative Action:
  1. Beyond formal equality; includes reservations, quotas in education, jobs for deprived groups.
  2. Forms: Scholarships, hostels, preferential admissions, and employment.
  3. Temporary measure to level opportunities.
  4. Criticism: Seen as unfair by some, denying equal treatment to others.
  5. Defence: Necessary to help excluded groups (e.g., Dalits, women) compete fairly.
• India’s policies focus on education, healthcare access, to reduce social/economic inequalities.
• Women’s movement highlights need for special facilities (e.g., maternity leave) to exercise equal rights.