PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Equality

Comment on the Equality of outcome as political idea in around 150 words.

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 fairness judged by results, not chances equal distribution of income / wealth most radical egalitarianism

Route 2 focus shifts from starting point to end result distributive equality fairness measured at the finish

Body flow

concept (results over chances) socialist / substantive defence Marxist abolition of classes Rousseau (inequality enslaves poor, corrupts rich) libertarian critique Hayek (rule of law vs material equality) Nozick (just steps) Sen (capabilities redirect)

Counter-view

coercion + conflict with equality before law + self-ownership vs dignity and substantive equality

Conclusion routes

Route 1 targets real deprivation, but best realised as substantive freedom, not enforced sameness

Route 2 Sen’s capability shift reframes outcome equality as real freedom rather than identical results

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2021, Equality