concept of equality in political science pdf
A physicist requires huge amount of money to purchase sophisticated instruments for his research. 5. It says that in all spheres of social, political cultural, economic and other fields there shall exist equality. 3 Structure of Semester II S. NO. as political theory. We have already mentioned these two. In a state all the opportunities and position shall be opened to all. Theoretically the bourgeois scholars and political scientists propagate for equality and strongly argue for formal or legal equality. It is believed by some that the maximisation of equality will result in egalitarianism. Even the inequalities were institutionalised by the capitalists. Political inequality – as both unequal influence over decisions made by political bodies and t… Political Equality: It stands for equal opportunities for participation of all in the political process. Even the people of Greek city-states were conscious of these three basic concepts of political theory and their consciousness is evident from their eagerness to participate, in a direct manner, in the affairs of the state—in fact, the Greek city- states were blessed with direct democracy. If necessary the structural changes of the society are to be effected. Nowadays a term is frequently used and it is formal equality. It is difficult to ascertain what is exactly meant by the term adequate. The word power is used in different senses. But this does not convey the meaning when it is used by political scientists. The theories that motivate existing analyses are often not about gender equality but rather distinct concepts that relate to women, e.g., women’s inclusion in the public sphere. Rawls also says that even the inequalities shall create no disadvantage to anybody. This video is uploaded by "Hamsika Academy" to help political science students and aspirants of IAS understand the concept of Equality. No discrimination is allowed. 8. What is adequate to one may be inadequate to other and we all admit this. It is ridiculous to think of the rule of law in a society which gleefully practices all forms of discriminations. which these concepts have been used in the educational discourse over time in response to existing social and political «climates of opinion». The term equality used in political science differs from uniformity, identity and sameness. Liberal Equality, Democratic Equality and Justice. The purpose of this report is consequently to introduce and define the concept of political … Violation of this principle will be treated as violation of equality. In the first stage of the post-revolutionary society, Marx claimed, this objective or principle could be achieved. The different senses of equality designated by Raphael, though controversial, are meaningful and many subscribe to these meanings. Oskooii , KA ( 2016 ). Rawls further maintains that for the sake of justice inequalities may be allowed to reign in society. Aristotle discovered that 'inequality' was a cause of rebellion in many a state. Like his other political concepts, equality is also a part of his entire .political philosophy which is primarily linked with the unmasking the real nature of capitalist system, its abolition and emancipation of working class. We have already noted that Laski has observed that equality means the absence of ‘special privileges. Marxists claim that all “these allegations against the bourgeois society are not based on any concoction or emotion. In the process of distribution, if necessary, difference is to be accepted. 3. Formal or legal equality has received almost universal approval from conservatives, liberals and even socialists. Introduction: . Sovereignty has two aspects : 1) Internal sovereignty It has been pointed out by Heywood that the formal equality is basically negative because the state authority takes special care in regard to the distribution of opportunities. It will help you acquire research skills you can use in your other Political Science courses. These are not generally controlled by the state. Egalitarianism has for long canvassed in favour of equalities in income, wealth, opportunities etc. In the first place, the administration of public institutions is to be so arranged as to ensure both equality and justice. A musician needs musical instruments for the performance of music. We here note some well-known meanings or notions such as political equality, economic equality, social equality, racial equality and sexual equality or equality in respect of gender. There is another principle delineated by Marxists: “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”. The state must see that in regard to the allotment of rights and liberties the principle of equality has been most scrupulously observed. Yet, everywhere there is democracy, there is political inequality. It is absolutely irrational, unjustified and even bigotry to deprive some persons of their legitimate share in wealth, income and manifold privileges on the ground of accidental birth in poor families or in so called neglected religious groups. But in actual situation most of the rights, liberties and equalities remain unfulfilled. Equality has another meaning and this is everybody can claim equal protection of law. the father of modern theory of sovereignty was Jean Bodin (1530 - 1597) a French political thinker. These are all old French or Latin words. The political scientists do not especially use this term but it is manifest from their analysis that the idea of formal equality is quite fresh in their minds. We now turn to a detailed analysis of the various aspects of equality: 1. But this controversy need not be an obstacle for the authority in charge of distributing opportunities (we use opportunities and privileges alternatively though there is a very subtle difference). According to Laski equality means “coherence of ideas”. The rights of persons are to be protected by the rule of law. Political Science : Basic Concepts of Political Science Sovereignty: The supreme power which cannot be distorted and divided. political renewal and should be the central task of democratic reformers, regardless of the general election result. Number of political scientists has defined the concept and Prof. Laski is one of them. The objective shall always be not to allow awarding special privileges to few persons. These are all old French or Latin words. It thinks of no concession or relaxation of equality principle—viewed thus, equality, at least in some respects, differs from egalitarianism. basic concepts in political science David Nwogbaga other states and non-state actors, to govern matters within its own borders that affect its people, economy, security, and form of government".In all these definitions, the common denominators associated with the concept of sovereignty include supremacy, independence, absoluteness, unlimitedness, and perpetuity. It studies the sex-typing characteristic of most institutions in the modern world and describes how gender shapes the ways people organize, think, and know about the world. Finally, equal satisfaction of basic needs. Distribution of all values, rights and liberties will be based on the above principles and all institutions shall be modelled on the same principles. This should be done in such a manner as it will enable to flourish and utilise their talents properly. One course on political science research methods and skills: PSCI 107 Research Methods in Politics (PSCI 107 also fulfills the University’s “FA” requirement). However, these expenditures are to be met. The term Sovereignty is derived from the Latin word superanus which means supreme. Political Equality. It was apprehended that due to differences in ability and talent there might appear differences among men in many respects. The blacks were not even allowed to enjoy other privileges which the white people had the right to enjoy. People have fought and died for its ideals. This paper analyses the three types of gender equality and the political strategies adopted by the European Union. Let us explain it. Laski further says that privileges provided by the authority must be adequate. But the Marxists believe that only in a post-revolutionary society such an aim can be realised. In this author’s view, the underlying sticking point in this debate concerns the ontological status of concepts, a question that has been conveniently neglected by many of those who have taken the linguistic turn within political science and law. H‰¤WÛnÛH}'�¨§�4°hŞ/ëÁ �LÛš±¥ŒDO¬ö�–Z6³”¨�T. 2. The subject of Political Science accommodates a number of sub-fields: POLITICAL THEORY explains the idea of politics in a philosophical manner.Two approaches used are Traditional approach, that gives a better understanding of the political system on the basis of ideas and beliefs; the Empirical approach, that focuses on the scientific basis of the political system. The weaker sections of the body politic were gradually being eliminated from the market because of money power exercised by the capitalists. The structures of institutions will have no function for discriminating among the citizens and thereby devaluing justice. Marxists did not treat this stage as the stage of just equality. This essay presents an analysis of the highly contested concept of equality. For example, social, political, economic etc. To Marx such declaration amounted to political emancipation. While privileges are distributed among the individuals justice and reason must be maintained so that no individual can think that he is neglected or is deprived of his due share. Emancipation only of the Jews could not achieve that ambitious objective. To enable students to gain an understanding of basic concepts in Political Science. The progress towards attainment of equality has not been uniform in all states. Justice is always hand in glove with equality. This principle indicates that each person in the society will perform his duties as far as his abilities permit him to do. One is equality before law and equal protection of law. The three concepts—rights, liberty and equality—are as old. A serious analysis of Marxist thought reveals that Marx had two types of equality in his mind though an unambiguous conclusion cannot be drawn. There is another type of formal equality and it is equal protection of law. To the French revolutionaries it was meant equality before law. © 2017 PoliticalScienceNotes - All rights reserved Terms of Service Privacy Policy Contact Us, © 2017 PoliticalScienceNotes - All rights reserved, Rights, Liberty and Equality (Comparative Analysis), Essay on Equality: Meaning and Kinds of Equality, Political Ideas of Cicero: Natural Law, Equality and Idea of State, Theories on the Origin of State | Essay | Theories | Political Science, Essay on Village Panchayats | India | Political Science, Essay on Communalism | India | Political Science, Directive Principles of State Policy | Essay | India | Political Science, Essay on Justice | India | Political Science. They contend that democracy is the key to unlock humanity’s great potential. Every individual has the right to claim equal liberties with others and when the state authority can ensure this, it will be assumed that justice will no longer be far away. This involves the concept of grant of equal political rights for all the citizens with some uniform qualifications for everyone. Marxists (including Lenin) stressed this principle and held that only in a communist society this principle could be achieved. Liberal equality, democratic equality and justice all are closely linked. The term equal considerations is not satisfactory because it may not always be justified. “Free market arrangements must be set within a framework of political and legal institution”. Equality does not mean obliteration of diversity. D. Miller, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001 3 Equality of Opportunity. They are of opinion that when everybody in the society is assured of satisfactory activities and requirements there shall not arise the urge for private property. Therefore, the abolition of capitalism was the first precondition for the attainment of universal political values such as equality, right and liberty, also justice. It is the primary function of law to give protection to all citizens and while doing this it makes no distinction between rank, position and wealth. cannot be recognised. C Political equality builds community: societies are bound together by cooperative activity toward shared goals. To provide the concepts, ideas and theories in political theory. There is a strong link between freedom and equality.