Some people argue that inequality is natural while others maintain that it is equality which is natural and the inequalities which we notice around us are created by society. Which view do you support? Give reasons.
A distinction has sometimes been made in political theory between natural inequalities and socially produced inequalities.
(i)Natural inequalities are those that emerge between people as a result of their different capabilities such as physical, mental and emotional. These types of inequalities are different from socially–produced inequalities which emerge as a consequence of inequalities of opportunity (educational, family– environment etc.) or the exploitation (social, economic cultural, political, emotional etc.) of some groups (people of low castes, backward group, weaker sex or common sex, in a society by others.
(ii)Natural inequalities are considered be the result of the different characteristics and abilities with which people are born. It is generally considered that natural differences cannot be changed.
Social inequalities on the other hand are those created by society.
(i)Certain societies may, for instance, value those who perform intellectual work over those who do manual work and reward them differently. They may treat differently people of different race, or colour, or gender, or caste,
(ii) Certain inequalities in the treatment of people have existed over a long period of time they may appear to us as justifiable because they are based on natural inequalities. For example there are certain characteristics with the people are born with and cannot easily change. For instance, women were for long described as the weaker sex, considered coward and of lesser intelligence than men, needing special protection. Therefore, it was felt that deny women equal rights could be justified.
(iii) However, old conceptions of discriminations such as based on gender and colour or race are now questioned. They are now seen as distinctions made by society or state as a result of the differences of power between people and nations rather than based on their in born characteristics.
A government report on farmers’ problems says that small and marginal farmers cannot get good prices from the market. It recommends that the government should intervene to ensure a better price but only for small and marginal farmers. Is this recommendation consistent with the principle of equality?
Match the following concepts with appropriate instances:
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(a). Affirmative action (b). Equality of opportunity (c). Equal Rights |
(i) Every adult citizen has a right to vote. (ii) Banks offer higher rate of interest to senior citizens. (iii) Every child should get free education. |
Which of the following violate the principles of equality? And why?
(a) Every child in class will read the text of the play by turn.
(b) The government of Canada encouraged white Europeans to migrate to Canada from the end of the Second world War till 1960.
(c) There is a separate railway reservation counter for the senior citizens.
(d) Access to some forest areas is reserved for certain tribal communities.There is a view that absolute economic equality is neither possible nor desirable. It is argued that the most a society can do is to try and reduce the gaps between the richest and the poorest members of the society. Do you agree?
