Political Science - Equality

An overview of Equality

1. POLITICAL SCIENCE - SARVESH SONAWANE

2. EQUALITY

3. WHAT IS EQUALITY? Equality in simple words means ‘sameness’ The sameness may be in quality or quantity

4. EQUALITY IN CONTEXT TO PS Politically, equality refers to sameness in the availability and exercise of rights, opportunities and choices. Hence in PS, the term equality is directly related to fundamental rights.

5. DEFINITION OF EQUALITY Harold Laski in his work A Grammar of Politics says that equality “implies fundamentally a leveling process. It means that no man shall be placed in society that can be overreach his neighbor to the extent which constitutes a denial of latter’s citizenship.” HAROLD LASKI

6. Equality implies the availability of similar rights and privileges

7. Equality implies the leveling of inequities

8. Equality cannot be absolute

9. CIVIL EQUALITY It implies equality of all the citizens before the law . Every citizen of the State should be treated similarly by the Constitution , the law and governing institutions , irrespective of race, religion, sex, caste, creed, language, views and beliefs.

10. POLITICAL EQUALITY It implies that all citizens should have equal access to similar political rights. They may include the rights to vote, to contest elections, to voice one’s political opinion and criticize government policies, and to actively participate in governance.

11. ECONOMIC EQUALITY In recent years, economic equality is acquiring greater significance than even political equality. Economic development, adequate employment, reasonable wages, etc.

12. SOCIAL EQUALITY By large and civil, political and economic equality enable democracy in letter only. It is social equality that enables democracy in spirit.

13. RIGHT TO EQUALITY Equality before law – Article 14 Prohibition of Discrimination – Article 15 Equality of opportunity – Article 16 Abolition of Untouchability – Article 17 Abolition of Titles – Article 18

14. CHALLENGES Lacuna (gap) between law and practice Inadequate laws Unwillingness of society to follow laws Lack of education and awareness

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