Notes Class 11 Chapter 3 Political Science Maharashtra Board

Equality and Justice

1. Introduction

• This chapter explains two important ideas: Equality and Justice.
• Equality: Treating everyone fairly and giving them the same opportunities.
• Justice: Ensuring fairness in society through laws, equal treatment, and resource distribution.
• The chapter covers:
• Meaning and types of equality.
• Concepts of legal, natural, and social justice.
• Importance of equality and justice in society, especially in India.

2. Equality

What is Equality?

• Equality means treating everyone the same, regardless of differences.
• It does not mean everyone is identical (same height, skills, etc.).
• It includes:
• Moral aspect: Respecting others with empathy and tolerance.
• Collective aspect: Ensuring fairness in society as a whole.
• Political goal: Achieving equal rights and opportunities for all.

Types of Inequalities

• Natural Inequalities:
• Differences created by nature, e.g., height, skin color, talents, physical strength.
• These cannot be changed but should not lead to discrimination.
• Manmade Inequalities:
• Created by society, e.g., inequalities based on caste, religion, wealth, or gender.
• These can be reduced by providing equal opportunities.

Why is Equality Important?

• Reduces unfair differences in society.
• Ensures:
  1. Fair conditions: Equal access to resources like food, water, and shelter.
  2. Human dignity: No one feels inferior due to inequalities.
  3. Mutual respect: People respect each other when treated equally.
  4. Fraternity: Equality promotes brotherhood, which supports liberty and justice.

History of Equality

• The idea of equality has evolved over time through contributions from thinkers:

1. Aristotle (Greek philosopher):

• Focused on equality in Greek city-states.
• Believed rulers and citizens were unequal due to differences in skills.
• Promoted equality before law and reducing special privileges.

2. Thomas Hobbes:

• Wrote in his book Leviathan about natural equality.
• Said all humans are equal despite physical or intellectual differences.
• Emphasized that governments cannot take away basic human rights.

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

• Divided inequalities into natural (e.g., strength) and manmade (e.g., wealth).
• Said greed and private property caused manmade inequalities.
• Suggested natural law could bring equality.

4. Karl Marx:

• Rejected liberal ideas of equality.
• Wanted a classless society where workers are free from exploitation.
• Focused on equal distribution of resources.

5. Alexis de Tocqueville:

• Studied equality during the American War of Independence.
• Said equality is key to ending slavery and dependency.
• Believed people value equality more than liberty in democracies.

Facets of Equality

1. Equality Before Law:
2. Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.
3. Rich, poor, strong, or weak are judged by the same rules.
4. Courts should not discriminate based on race, wealth, or status.
5. Equality of Opportunity:
6. Everyone should have the same chance to grow and succeed.
7. Deprived groups need support (e.g., education) to compete with privileged groups.

Types of Equality

1. Natural Equality:

• All humans are equal as human beings.
• No one should be discriminated against based on natural differences.
• Supported by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

2. Civil Equality:

• Equal rights for all, regardless of race, caste, religion, or gender.
• Same laws and punishments apply to everyone.
• Special laws for weaker sections (e.g., women, children) do not violate this.

3. Political Equality:

• Every citizen has an equal right to participate in government (e.g., voting).
• Found in democracies through Universal Adult Franchise (everyone can vote).
• Prevents unrest caused by political inequality.

4. Economic Equality:

• Equal opportunities for economic growth.
• Prevents exploitation and concentration of wealth.
• Ensures access to essential goods (food, shelter, etc.).

5. Social Equality:

• No discrimination based on caste, religion, race, or gender.
• Promotes dignity of labor and respect for all.
• In India, thinkers like Mahatma Phule and Dr. Ambedkar worked for this.

Indicators of Equality

• Welfare Equality: Meeting individual needs is more important than what they already have.
• Equality of Resources: Fair distribution of resources like money, land, or education.
• Equality of Capabilities: People should have the ability to use resources effectively.

Equality in India

India is diverse, but faces challenges like caste system and gender inequality.

Caste System:

• Creates social and economic inequalities.
• Leaders like Mahatma Phule and Dr. Ambedkar fought against it.

Gender Inequality:

• Patriarchal society gives men more opportunities than women.
• Unequal resource distribution between genders.

Indian thinkers focused on:

• Mahatma Phule: Ending caste and gender discrimination.
• Justice Ranade: Women’s rights, ending child marriage.
• Tarabai Shinde: Freedom from caste system.
• Mahatma Gandhi: Social, economic, and gender equality.
• Dr. Ambedkar: Ending caste and ensuring social, economic, and political equality.
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia: Ending caste, male dominance, and English language dominance.
• Dr. Amartya Sen: Developing individual capabilities.

3. Justice

What is Justice?

• Justice means fairness in society through laws, equal treatment, and resource sharing.
• It is an ancient idea:
• Socrates: Said justice is a virtue that makes society good.
• Plato: In The Republic, called justice a key human quality.
• Aristotle: Said justice creates equality and balance in society.
• Modern justice includes natural, legal, social, and gender justice.

Why is Justice Important?

• Ensures fair distribution of limited resources (e.g., money, food).
• According to John Rawls:
• Justice is the most important feature of any social institution.
• Everyone should have equal rights under the law.

Types of Justice

Natural Justice:

• Based on human nature’s understanding of right and wrong.
• No need for manmade laws since people naturally know what is fair.
• Supported by ancient Greek and Roman philosophers.

Legal Justice:

• Applying justice through laws.
• Laws must be fair and prevent injustice.
• Features:
• Independent and impartial judiciary.
• Tension-free court proceedings.
• Clear rules for trials.
• Accused must know charges and have freedom to defend themselves.

Social Justice:

• Fair distribution of goods and services to all, especially weaker sections.
• Also called distributive justice.
• Ensures equality for those at the bottom of society.

Key Thinkers on Justice

John Rawls:

• Advocated social justice and distributive justice.
• Wrote A Theory of Justice.
• Principles:
• Equal fundamental rights and duties for all.
• Equal opportunities for public offices.
• Justice must benefit the weakest in society.

Karl Marx:

• Said the capitalist system exploits workers.
• Laws protect the rich (haves) and ignore the poor (have nots).
• A socialist system ensures fair resource distribution.

Robert Nozick:

Focused on procedural justice (following fair legal processes).

Dr. Ambedkar:

Linked justice to ending caste and ensuring resource distribution.

Indian Concept of Justice

India faces inequalities due to caste system and patriarchy.

Dr. Ambedkar:

• Said justice requires changing unfair social structures (like caste).
• Justice means fair distribution of resources.

Indian Constitution ensures justice through:

• Procedural Justice: Fair legal processes.
• Social Justice: Helping weaker sections.

Policies for justice:

• Reservations: For backward classes in education and jobs.
• Scholarships and Grants: For economically weaker sections.
• Ending Exploitation: Laws against practices like bonded labor and untouchability.

Ambedkar’s View:

• Political democracy needs social democracy (liberty, equality, fraternity).
• Constitutional methods are key to achieving social and economic goals.