Equality means the absence of special privileges to any section of society. It provides adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination. Equality does not stand for absolute equality. It accepts the presence of some natural dissimilarities.
Equality has three basic elements:
- Absence of special privileges in society.
- Presence of ‘adequate and equal opportunities’ for development of all.
- Equal satisfaction of basic needs of all.
Types of Equality:
Social equality: It stands for absence of special privileges for any class or caste or religions group or an ethnic group. It also entails:
- Prohibition of discrimination against anyone based on caste, colour, creed, religion, sex and place of birth.
- Free access to public places for all the people, i.e., no social segregation.
- Equality of opportunity for all people. It however accepts the concept of protective discrimination in favour of all weaker sections of society.
Civil Equality: It is elaborated as the grant of equal rights and freedoms to all the people and social groups. All the people are to be treated equal before Law.
Political Equality: It is referred to as equal opportunities for participation of all in the political process. This involves the concept of granting equal political rights for all the citizens.
Economic Equality: It denotes to fair and adequate opportunities to all for work and for earning of their livelihoods. It tries to keep the gap between rich and poor as low as possible. It believes that there should be equitable distribution of wealth and resources in society.
