Difference Between Political, Social and Economic Equality
What is equality? Equality is about making sure that each person has an equal opportunity to make the most out of their lives. It also means that no one should be disadvantaged, discriminated, or, be poor because of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sex, beliefs, disability, or sexual orientation (Roemer, Trannoy, 2015). The general principle of non-discrimination and equality is an element of the International Human Rights Law. The right to equal treatment requires that all people be treated equally without discrimination.
Economic equality means that people are equal in income and total wealth. Economic equality is wide. There is the distribution of income which is how much people earn. Wealth distribution is how much wealth individuals own. Economic equality mainly focuses on income, consumption, and wealth (Roemer, Trannoy, 2015). The most common example is the pay difference between men and women. Social equality means equal opportunities, equality of social status, equal treatment, and equal achievements. It is where all people within a society or an isolated community have the same status in all areas (Roemer, Trannoy, 2015). For example, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, right to life, and equal access to social services and social goods. Political equality on the other hand means the extent to which the people have an equal voice over the decisions of the government. Political equality encompasses principles like equality before the law, one-person-one-vote, and the right of free speech.
Traditionally, political equality meant equal individual rights and equal liberty. To put it simply, political equality means that a person’s liberty, the right to own property, and the right to life are respected and that the government does not give any individual special treatment or favors or cause any harm upon a specific person or group. Political equality does not completely exist. It is only approximated. On the other hand, economic equality can only be achieved through totally controlling people’s lives and substituting the decisions of many state authorities for the choices of millions of people (Roemer, Trannoy, 2015). The only way by which everyone can be approximately even socially and economically is through redistributing wealth forcibly and legally prohibiting social distinction.
Democracy comes from equality. However, there needs to be a clear distinction between political and social equality. Everyone is equal before the eyes of the law. A man has the same rights as a woman and a peasant as a prince. However, democracy assures fairness, hence political equality (Roemer, Trannoy, 2015). It cannot bring about social equality, hence unfairness. If political equality is breached, the right can be justified or legally enforced. For example, it assures all people the freedom of expression. If this right is violated or infringed, then one can move to court to seek justice. When it comes to social equality, democracy cannot demand that everyone be socially equal. For example, it cannot demand that everyone be as rich as so and so or as beautiful as so and so. That is to say, an individual cannot sue the government because they are middle class. Under economic equality, the government can assure equal income for everyone but, it cannot assure equal wealth.
In conclusion, equality is very significant to the development and, many governments and organizations acknowledge equality as one of the central goals for their programming. Despite the differences, social, political, and economic equality co-exist and, there cannot be one without the other. They are all about treating everyone equally regardless of gender, social status, ethnicity, religion, race, or any other differences.
References
Roemer, J. E., & Trannoy, A. (2015). Equality of opportunity. In Handbook of income distribution (Vol. 2, pp. 217-300). Elsevier.