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Class 11 Political Science Chapter 13 Equality Solution
Section-B Political Theory
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. According to Marxists, what is the fundamental or primary equality?
Ans: Economic equality.
2. Who said, “Men are naturally equal”?
Ans: John Locke.
3. When was the demand for legal equality raised?
Ans: In the 18th century.
4. “Political equality is essential in democracy.” Is this statement true?
Ans: Yes, it is true.
5. What was the main slogan of the French Revolution?
Ans: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
6. Against whom was the French Revolution directed?
Ans: Against the autocratic monarchy and the feudal landlord class.
7. Which ideology did Ram Manohar Lohia support?
Ans: Socialism.
8. According to Karl Marx, what is the main cause of inherent inequality in society?
Ans: Economic inequality.
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. Mention two necessities of equality.
Ans: Two necessities of equality are:
(a) Equality can remove social evils such as the gap between rich and poor, high and low status, and untouchability in society.
(b) Equality can provide equal opportunities and facilities, which make the physical and mental development of individuals possible.
2. What is meant by feminism?
Ans: Feminism is a movement or struggle by women to establish equal rights with men. According to this ideology, women are not inferior to men in any respect; therefore, they should receive equal opportunities and facilities as men.
3. Mention two types of inequality.
Ans: The two types of inequality are:
(a) Natural inequality
(b) Social inequality
C. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Discuss the relationship between liberty and equality.
Ans: Liberty and equality are the foundations of democracy. Many scholars, such as Ernest Barker, John Stuart Mill, and L. T. Hobhouse, have expressed the view that there is a close relationship between liberty and equality. The relationship between them can be discussed as follows:
(a) Liberty is a precondition of equality. Equality can exist only when liberty exists. Citizens can enjoy liberty on the basis of equal rights. Where equality does not exist, liberty is hindered.
(b) Liberty is an essential condition for the development of an individual’s talent and personality. Equality ensures that everyone enjoys political, social, and economic freedom for the development of personality and abilities.
(c) According to socialist thinkers, liberty without equality is meaningless; similarly, liberal thinkers also argue that liberty becomes meaningless in the absence of equality. Thus, from both socialist and liberal perspectives, liberty and equality are closely interrelated.
2. Mention four characteristics of equality.
Ans: Four characteristics of equality are:
(a) Equality is a political and moral ideal.
(b) Equality is not absolute. It means providing equal opportunities and facilities, but the ability to utilize those opportunities depends on individuals.
(c) Equality implies the absence of favoritism toward any particular class or group.
(d) Equality supports the principle of equal pay for equal work and equal opportunity for persons with equal qualifications.
D. Essay Type Questions & Answers: (Marks for each – 6)
1. Define equality. Discuss the different types of equality.
Ans: Equality generally means providing equal opportunities and facilities to every individual and treating all people in the same manner. Different scholars have defined equality in different ways. Harold J. Laski gave a satisfactory definition of equality as: “Equality means the absence of special privileges and the provision of adequate opportunities for all.” Equality can be classified into several types such as natural equality, social equality, political equality, economic equality, and legal equality. These are briefly discussed below.
(a) Natural equality: Natural equality refers to the equality that people possess by nature. Supporters of this view argue that nature has created all human beings equally; therefore, everyone should enjoy equal rights, dignity, and freedom. Thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau supported the idea of natural equality.
(b) Social equality: Social equality means that all individuals enjoy equal rights regardless of caste, religion, gender, or race. This concept opposes practices such as social discrimination and untouchability and seeks equal opportunities for the development of personality and talent.
(c) Political equality: Political equality means that all citizens have equal rights to participate in the governance of the state. It includes the right to vote, the right to elect representatives, and the opportunity to hold public office according to one’s qualifications.
(d) Economic equality: Economic equality demands equal rights in the acquisition and use of wealth. Karl Marx was a major advocate of economic equality. According to this idea, all citizens of a state should receive equal economic opportunities, such as equal pay for equal work and the right to employment.
(e) Legal equality: Legal equality is based on the principle that all are equal before the law. Regardless of social status—rich or poor, high or low—everyone has the right to equal protection and justice under the law. The constitution of a country guarantees legal equality, and the judiciary acts as the guardian of this principle.
