In this article you will learn about Equality and Justice in Political Science.
Equality and Justice
Equality and Justice are closely linked. Aristotle says, “Justice is equality because all accept this without any logic.” The French Declaration of Rights of man and citizens records that : “All men are born equal and free with certain rights and they remain free and live with their rights. The social institutions can be based only on their social utility.” The concept of equality was born along with the concept of justice. After the march of industrialisation, the gap between the rich and the poor widened and some people who had grown rich began to lead a life of luxury while a large majority continued to remain poor as they used to live before. In this situation it was argued that all men are born equal, and nature has given equal opportunities to all, therefore the needs of all have to be equally fulfilled. It involved an assertion of both the values of Equality and Justice.
Equality, as observed by Laski means a levelling process. Those who possess unlimited economic means should be taxed heavily so as to provide basic necessities and amenities to the poor. It is justified that the State should provide opportunities to the poor to earn their livelihood. It is the demand of justice that after the basic needs of all have been fulfilled, only then one might be allowed to have means of luxury. It also demands that all individuals should have equal social and economic rights and opportunities. All individuals should be regarded equal in the eyes of law and should get equal protection of law.
However, it is socially and economically justified to give special needs and facilities to the background, because it alone can help them to come up to the level of socially and economically well-off. Justice demands that all individuals should have equal social and economic rights and opportunities. All individuals should be considered and regarded equal in the eyes of law and should get equal protection of law.
Equality stands for socio-economic, politico-legal equality. It really means fair and adequate opportunities for all for living and development. In this way, Equality is always near to justice which stands for a system characterised by a fair degree of socio-economic, politico-legal protection for all without any exception and discrimination on any ground.
Likewise Liberty is also directly related to the very basis of Justice.
Liberty demands that every individual needs an environment in which they should be able to develop themselves fully and independently. There should not be any unjust and irrational restriction on any individual which can prevent him from the performance of his functions. Liberty does not mean absence of restraints, it only means absence of irritations and unjust restraints. Liberty cannot be there without Justice. Liberty has a close relation with social interests as well. Along with individual liberty, it is essential to keep the larger interests of society in view. There may be some conflict between the demands of liberty of different individuals. The function of the State is to bring peace and harmony between various interests of individuals and groups. The State has to perform this function with respect to the concept of justice.
In every modern state several rights and freedoms are granted to the citizens, but at the same time these liberties are restricted keeping in view the interests of society and the country. During a war or any kind of emergency, it becomes necessary to restrict civil liberties for the sake of public security. Restrictions of any kind imposed at this time are considered justified but restrictions are not to be made a permanent feature of the polity. For example, compulsory military training may be considered essential during a war but when peace comes, such an action becomes unjust.
Similarly, when activities of some groups are to be restricted by the State in order to establish social and economic justice, the state action cannot be termed as harming the liberty of the group or persons. If the government takes over surplus land by putting a ceiling upon individual or family ownership of land through land-ceiling laws and later on distributes inimical to liberty. Today the governments everywhere impose heavy taxes upon the rich while granting several kinds of concessions to the poor. Such actions again are not to be considered as against the spirit of liberty. This is done in the interest of promoting social justice.
Therefore, the concept of Justice is very closely related to the concept of Equality as well as Liberty. These should be simultaneously secured for all the people. The Preamble of the Constitution of India defines the securing of Justice, Equality, Liberty and Fraternity as the goals to be secured for all the people of India.
This article on Equality and Justice in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.