EqualityClass 11 Political Theory NCERT Solutions
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Q1Exercises
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.
Solution
I support the view that it is equality which is natural, and the inequalities we notice around us are created by society. The chapter provides strong reasons to support this perspective.
First, the concept of equality is rooted in our shared humanity. As the text states, all human beings have an equal worth and deserve equal consideration and respect, regardless of colour, gender, race, or nationality. This idea of a common humanity is a natural starting point for human relations.
Second, many inequalities that were once considered 'natural' have been revealed to be socially constructed. For instance, the chapter explains how women were long described as the 'weaker sex' and Black people in Africa were considered intellectually inferior by colonial masters. These beliefs were not based on natural differences but were social constructions used to justify discrimination, slavery, and unequal power structures.
Third, society creates inequalities through its values and systems. The chapter distinguishes between natural inequalities (arising from different talents) and socially-produced inequalities (arising from unequal opportunities or exploitation). A society may value intellectual work over manual work or create systems like the caste system that restrict opportunities for certain groups. These are inequalities created by social rules, not by nature.
Finally, even what might be considered 'natural' differences can be overcome by social support. As the text points out, advances in medical science and technology have enabled many disabled people, like Stephen Hawking, to function effectively and make significant contributions. This shows that society's response, rather than the 'natural' difference itself, often determines the extent of inequality.
Therefore, while individuals may have different natural talents, the deep-rooted and systemic inequalities in wealth, status, and opportunity are primarily a product of social systems, customs, and laws.
Q2Exercises
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 poorest members of society. Do you agree?
Solution
Yes, I agree with the view that absolute economic equality is neither possible nor desirable, and that a society's primary goal should be to reduce the gaps between the richest and poorest.
The chapter suggests that the ideal of equality does not mean eliminating all forms of differences. People have different talents, skills, and ambitions, which may lead to different levels of success and wealth. As long as people have equal opportunities to develop their potential, some level of inequality in outcomes is acceptable. Liberal theories, mentioned in the text, uphold the principle of competition in free and fair conditions as a just way of distributing rewards, which naturally leads to some inequality.
Attempting to enforce absolute economic equality could be undesirable as it might stifle individual initiative, talent, and hard work. If everyone receives the same reward regardless of their contribution, there might be less incentive for innovation and social progress.
The more pressing issue, as highlighted in the chapter, is not inequality itself, but 'entrenched' inequalities that persist over generations and prevent individuals from improving their condition. The text points out that large gaps between the rich and poor are dangerous for a society, as they can lead to resentment, violence, and a division between classes. The goal, therefore, should be to ensure a 'level playing field' by providing everyone with access to basic goods like education, health care, and a minimum standard of living. By doing this and minimising the effects of social and economic inequalities, a society can reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, ensuring that inequality does not become entrenched and that everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
Q3Exercises
Match the following concepts with appropriate instances: (a) Affirmative action
(i)
Every adult citizen has a right to vote
(b)
Equality of opportunity
(ii)
Banks offer higher rate of interest to senior citizen
(c)
Equal Rights.
(iii)
Every child should get free education
Solution
The correct matches are as follows:
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(a) Affirmative action — (ii) Banks offer higher rate of interest to senior citizen: Affirmative action, as described in the chapter, involves positive measures to help disadvantaged or specific groups. Providing a higher interest rate to senior citizens is a form of preferential or differential treatment designed to provide them with special assistance, which aligns with the principle of affirmative action.
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(b) Equality of opportunity — (iii) Every child should get free education: The concept of equality of opportunity implies that all individuals should have a fair and equal chance to develop their skills and talents. Providing free education to every child is a fundamental policy to ensure that access to this basic good is not determined by social or economic circumstances, thereby creating a more level playing field for all.
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(c) Equal Rights — (i) Every adult citizen has a right to vote: Equal rights are a core component of political equality, which grants equal citizenship to all members of a state. The right to vote is a basic right of citizenship that is granted to all adults on an equal basis, without discrimination, as a part of their formal equality before the law.
Q4Exercises
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?
Solution
Yes, this recommendation is consistent with the principle of equality. The chapter makes a crucial distinction between treating everyone in an identical manner and treating everyone as equals. It argues that to achieve the goal of equality, it is sometimes necessary to treat people differently.
This policy is an example of 'equality through differential treatment' or 'affirmative action'. The principle of equality requires not just formal equality before the law, but also equality of opportunity. Small and marginal farmers are at a significant disadvantage in the market compared to large farmers and corporations. They lack the resources, bargaining power, and scale to compete on equal terms.
By intervening to ensure a better price specifically for this deprived group, the government is not violating equality but enhancing it. The policy aims to correct an existing imbalance and minimise the effects of economic inequality. It provides special assistance to a disadvantaged group to enable them to overcome their disadvantages and compete more fairly. As the chapter states, such special treatment is justified as a means to promoting a just and egalitarian society, ensuring that a vulnerable group can enjoy the same rights and opportunities as the rest of society.
Q5Exercises
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.
Solution
Based on the principles discussed in the chapter, here is an analysis of each situation:
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(a) Every child in class will read the text of the play by turn. This does not violate the principle of equality. It is an example of treating everyone in an identical manner in a specific situation to ensure fairness and equal participation.
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(b) The Government of Canada encouraged white Europeans to migrate to Canada from the end of the Second World War till 1960. This violates the principle of equality. The chapter states that treating people differently based on their race or nationality is an unacceptable form of inequality. This policy is discriminatory as it gives preference to one group ('white Europeans') over others, which goes against the ideal that all human beings have equal worth.
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(c) There is a separate railway reservation counter for the senior citizens. This does not violate the principle of equality. It is an instance of differential treatment intended to enhance equality. Senior citizens may face physical difficulties that put them at a disadvantage in crowded general queues. Providing a separate counter helps ensure they have an equal chance to access the service, which is an enhancement, not an infringement, of equality.
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(d) Access to some forest areas is reserved for certain tribal communities. This does not violate the principle of equality. This is a form of affirmative action designed to protect a historically disadvantaged and marginalised group. Tribal communities often have a unique cultural and economic dependence on forests. Reserving access for them can be justified as a measure to protect their livelihood and culture, thereby helping to create a more just and egalitarian society by giving special protection to a deprived group.
Q6Exercises
Here are some arguments in favour of the right to vote for women. Which of these are consistent with the idea of equality? Give reasons.
(a)
Women are our mothers. We shall not disrespect our mothers by denying them the right to vote.
(b)
Decisions of the government affect women as well as men, therefore they also should have a say in choosing the rulers.
(c)
Not granting women the right to vote will cause disharmony in the family.
(d)
Women constitute half of humanity. You cannot subjugate them for long by denying them the right to vote.
Solution
The arguments consistent with the idea of equality are (b) and (d).
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(a) Women are our mothers. We shall not disrespect our mothers by denying them the right to vote. This argument is not consistent with the idea of equality. It bases the right to vote on a specific social role (motherhood) and the sentiment of respect associated with it. The principle of equality, however, asserts that rights should be granted based on one's status as an equal human being and citizen, not on their relationship to men or the social roles they fulfill.
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(b) Decisions of the government affect women as well as men, therefore they also should have a say in choosing the rulers. This argument is consistent with the idea of equality. It is based on the principle of equal citizenship. Political equality implies that all members of a state who are subject to its laws and policies should have an equal right to participate in the political process. Since government decisions impact everyone, all citizens, regardless of gender, deserve an equal voice.
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(c) Not granting women the right to vote will cause disharmony in the family. This argument is not consistent with the idea of equality. It is a pragmatic argument focused on maintaining social order rather than affirming a fundamental right. It suggests giving women the vote to avoid a negative consequence (disharmony), not because they are inherently entitled to it as equals.
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(d) Women constitute half of humanity. You cannot subjugate them for long by denying them the right to vote. This argument is consistent with the idea of equality. It invokes the idea of a shared humanity and equal worth, as discussed in the chapter. It highlights the profound injustice of denying rights to such a large portion of the population and frames the right to vote as a matter of freedom from subjugation and recognition of women's equal status as human beings.