VARIOUS DIMENSIONS
Concept of Equality
presentation BY:
DR. JIWAN DEVI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
THERE ARE VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF EQUALITY. LASKI HAS EMPHASISED ON THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECT OF EQUALITY. BARKER FAVOURED THE LEGAL AND SOCIAL ASPECT OF EQUALITY. LORD BRYCE HAS DISCUSSED THE FIVE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF EQUALITY AND THESE ARE:
Legal dimension of equality
The concept of legal equality confirms that all the citizens in the state are equal in the eyes of law . Law and judiciary will not discriminate on the basis of wealth ,colour ,caste religion and creed. Laws are equal for every citizen
ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS TO ENSURE LEGAL EQUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEGAL DIMENSON OF EQUALITY
1.EQUALITY BEFORE LAW : THIS MEANS THAT IN SPITE OF ONES RANK OR STATUS IN SOCIETY,ALL ARE EQUAL BEFORE LAW. LAW DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF CASTE,RELIGION,COLOUR,CREED OR SEX. IT IS STATED CLEARLY IN THE ARTICLE 14 OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION "THE STATE SHALL NOT DENY TO ANY PERSON EQUALITY BEFORE LAW OR EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAWS WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF INDIA" .
2.EQUAL PROTECTION OF LAW : THIS MEANS THAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD BE PROVIDED EQUAL PROTECTION BY LAW.EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE GIVEN RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES.
3.PROVISION OF EQUAL LAWS AND RIGHTS TO ALL: LEGAL EQUALITY ALSO MEANS PROVISION OF EQUAL LAWS AND RIGHTS FOR ALL THE CITIZENS.NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THE BASIS OF CASTE , RELIGION,COLOUR,CREED ETC.
4.EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS : ACCORDING TO LAW, EVERY SUITABLE AND ELIGIBLE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL CHANCES AND OPPORTUNIUTIES IN PUBLIC SERVICES. BUT REMEMBER THAT THE STATE CAN FIX QUALIFICATIONS FOR DIFFERENT JOBS
5.SPECIAL PROVISION FOR THE WEAKER SECTIONS OF THE SOCIETY: PROVISIONS ARE MADE IN THE CONSTITUTION FOR SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR THE WEAKER SECTIONS OF THE SOCIETY . THIS HELPS THEM TO DEVELOP LIKE OTHER SECTIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
6.PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATIONS: THE LEGAL DIMENSION ALSO DEMANDS THAT NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THE BASIS OF CASTE , RELIGION,COLOUR,CREED ETC. THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PROHIBITS SUCH DISCRIMINATIONS.
Political dimension of equality
Political equality means that all the citizens of the state are provided equal political rights. Citizens shoulb be given rights to participate in the affairs of the state .Political rights are given only in democratic states. In democracy every citizen becomes a shareholder in political power and he does that so with the use of right of vote
ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS TO ENSURE POLITICAL EQUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLITICAL DIMENSON OF EQUALITY
1.RIGHT TO VOTE AND CONTEST ELECTIONS: FOR THIS EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE GIVEN RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CASTE, RELIGION,CREED , COLOUR,ETC. IN INDIA A PERSON ABOVE THE AGE OF 18 IS GIVEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE . ALSO EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO GET ELECTED WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION . IN INDIA EVERY CITIZEN WHO IS 25 YEARS OF AGE AND IS NOT DECLARED INELIGIBLE TO CONTEST ELAECTION BY THE COURT CAN CONTEST ELECTION
2.RIGHT TO HOLD PUBLIC PLACES : EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE. NO OFFICE SHOULD BE THE MONOPOLY OF ANY PARTICULAR CLASS.
3. RIGHT TO CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT: THIS HELPS I MAKING THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE TO ITS DUTIES . IT ALSO HELPS IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS. BUT CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL METHODS SHOULD BE USED TO CRITIZE THE GOVERMNMENT.
4.RIGHT TO FORM THE POLITICAL PARTIES: IN DEMOCRACY EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO FORM POLITICAL PARTIES AND TO BECOME THE MEMBER OF POLTICAL PARTIES .TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF HUMAN BEINGS , MAN CAN BECOME THE MEMBER OF ANY ASSOCIALTION
5.RIGHT TO PETITION : IN DEMOCRACY THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PETITION BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FOR THE REDRESSAL OF THEIR GRIEVANCES . SUCH PETITIONS CAN BE MADE INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL AS COLLECTIVELY ALSO AND PEOPLE CAN ASK FOR THE PROTECTION OF THEIR INTERESTS.
Social dimension of equality
The concept of social equality came as a revolt against social inequalities. Countries where caste system was rigid, discriminations were done on the basis of religion, colour ,creed etc. The people of these countries revolted against these discriminations. Many social reformers also started many social reform movements to remove inequalities prevailing in the society. With the spread of education and democracy, the concept of equality gained momentum and discrimination on the basis of caste colour creed etc was abolished. Before independence untouchability was prevalent in our country , but after independence, untouchability was declared crime against humanity,
ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS TO ENSURE SOCIAL EQUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOCIAL DIMENSON OF EQUALITY
1.PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATIONS: THE MAIN CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SOCIAL EQUALITY IS NOT TO MAKE ANY DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CASTE, RELIGION,CREED , COLOUR,ETC. IN MANU OF THE UNDER-DEVELOPED STATES EVEN TODAY SUCH DISCRIMINATIONS ARE MADE WHICH IS AGAINST THE PRINCIPLE OF SOCIAL EQUALITY.
2.FREE ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES : PUBLIC PLACES LIKE BUS STANDS , RAILWAY STATIONS, HOTELS ETC SHOULD BE THE PROPERTY OF ALL THE CITIZENS AND EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE THE FREE ACCESS TO THESE.
3. NO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER: DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER SHOULD BE PROHIBITED. MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD BE PROVIDED EQUAL STATUS IN EVERY SPHERE OF LIFE .
4.EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT . NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE MADE ON THE BASIS OF CASTE RELIGION CLASS COLOUR ETC.
5. PROVISION OF PROTECTIVE DISCRIMINATIONS: IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES DISCRIMINATIONS BECOME ESSENTIAL AS IN INDIA SPECIAL PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE INTEREST OF SCHEDULED CASTES AND TRIBE. THE PURPOSE OF THESE SPECIAL PROVISIONS IS TO STOP THE INHUMAN TREATMENT BEING DONE WITH THESE PEOPLE AND TO PROVIDETHEM EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT .
Economic dimension of equality
Economic equality is considered as the basis of all equalities where there are poor and rich, social, political and legal equality is not possible there. Economic equality does not mean equal distribution of money. It means that every person should have equal chances to earn his livelihood . Man's fundamental needs should be fulfilled and distribution of money should be fair. Economic inequality affects the total political and economic framework of the state. Political power gets concentrated in the hands of the rich people and they use this power for their own ends. if we want to establish political stability economic equality is very necessary.
ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS TO ENSURE ECONOMIC EQUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ECONOMIC DIMENSON OF EQUALITY
1.EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN LIVELIHOOD: EVERY CITIZEN OF THE STATE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL AND SUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN HIS LIVELIHOOD. THE STATE IN WHICH THERE IS WIDE SPREAD OF UNEMPLOYMENT , IN SUCH A STATE , WE CANNOT THINK OF ECONOMIC EQUALITY.
2.EQUAL WAGES FOR THE SAME JOB : WITHOUT MAKING ANY DISCRIMINATION WHETHER HE IS A MAN OR WOMAN ,SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL WAGES FOR THE SAME JOB. BESIDES THIS, NO DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE MADE AMONG THE PEOPLE ON THE BASIS OF THEIR CASTE, COLOUR, CREED, RELIGION, OR SEX ETC.
3. FULFILLMENT OF THE BASIC NEEDS: FOOD, CLOTH AND SHELTER ARE THE BASIC NEEDS OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUALITY, FULFILMENT OF THESE BASIC NECESSITIES IS NECESSARY.
4. PROVISION OF ECONOMIC SECURITY: ECONOMIC SECURITY SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE CASE OF UNEMPLOYMENT , SICKNESS, OLD AGE ETC. TO MEET THIS PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE OF FREE MEDICAL AID, OLD AGE PENSION AND OLD AGE HOMES ETC FOR THE POOR AND OLD PEOPLE
5. FIXED HOURS TO WORK: THERE SHOULD BE FIXED HOURS TO WORK SO THAT THE LABOURERS ARE NOT MADE TO DO OVER WORK AND THEY ALSO GET TIME TO REST AND LEISURE. TO MEET THIS PURPOSE THE PROVISION LIKE FIXED WORKING HOURS , HOLIDAYS , EXTRA WAGES FOR EXTRA WORK, BONUS ETC SHOULD BE MADE BY THE LAW AS IT WILL SAVE THE LABOURERS OF THEIR EXPLOITATION BY THE FACTORY OWNERS
IN BRIEF WE CAN SAY THAT THE PROVISION OF EQUAL RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE STATE , ABSENCE OF SPECIAL RIGHTS , EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL TO DEVELOP, FULFILLMENT OF THE BASC NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS , ABSENCE OF CLASS DIVISION AND GENUINE BASIC OF DISCRIMINATION ETC ARE SOME OF THE CHARACTERSISTICS OF EQUALITY AND ITS VARIOUS DIMENSIONS.ACCORDING TO SOME PEOPLE, EQUALITY STANDS FOR THE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH WHEREAS THIS IS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR REASONABLE. TO KEEP THE HARDWORKING AND SHIRKER AT THE SAME LEVEL IS NOT RIGHT. BY EQUALITY WE MEAN TO GIVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL TO GROW
Conclusion