In this article you will learn about the Meaning and Features of Equality in Political Science.
Meaning of Equality
Equality means equal rights for all the people and is justified as natural equality. However, absolute equality of all cannot be fully accepted because men are neither equal in respect of their mental abilities nor of their physical features. There are many differences in men’s capabilities and abilities. Treatment and reward should depend upon the actual abilities and work of different people. When we talk about equality, we mean general equality and not absolute equality so there should be equitable distribution of opportunities and not equal reward for all.
In a society there are present two types of inequalities - Natural and Man-made inequalities. Natural inequalities means natural differences among the people which must be accepted because everyone cannot be equal to everyone else. While man-made inequalities means the artificial and unnatural inequalities which are there because of some social conditions and differences. These inequalities are the creations of man. The discriminations and inequalities practised in the name of caste, creed, colour, religion, sex, etc. are all man-made inequalities.
The theory of equality eliminates all the artificial and discriminatory man-made inequalities. It accepts natural inequalities but eliminates unnatural social inequalities. It stands for socio-economic and political equality in society.
Features of Equality
- Equality is not absolute in nature - Equality is not absolute, it stands for the abolition of all man-made inequalities and accepts the presence of natural inequalities.
- Equality means absence of all unjust inequalities in society - Equality only accepts natural differences among humans and rejects all man-made and artificial inequalities in the name of caste, creed, sex, colour, religion, gender and place of birth. Absence of Special Privileged Classes in Society - Equality stands for the absence of all special privileged classes in the society based on birth, caste, colour, creed, sex, wealth and property.
- Equal Rights for all people - Equality grants and guarantees equal fundamental rights and freedoms of all the people.
- Equality stands for Adequate and Equal Opportunities - Equality suggests the system of adequate and equal opportunities for the development of all the people in a society.
- Equal satisfaction of primary needs for all - Equality minimises the gap between rich and poor and provides equal needs of all the persons.
- Equality stands for just and fair rewards for work - Equality stands for not equal but equitable distribution of rewards which means it rewards on the basis of performance and merit.
- Equality admits Protective Discrimination in favour of weaker sections of society - Equality accpets the principle of protective discrimination for helping the weaker sections of society and grants special facilities and reservation to persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
This article on Meaning and Features of Equality in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.