Written by: Tanisha Ray Choudhury
Edited: Surabhi S Raj
Society, as a structure, is a multi-faceted complex labyrinth, in the sense that it has multiple levels of differences, similarities, and individualities. It consists of many people of different ethnicities and cultures and is a constantly changing and thriving system. However, every system has its mishaps and society is no exception. There has always been an imbalance in society throughout history, such that there is always a ‘someone’ or ‘someone's’ who hold a dominant position over other members of society. Be it through the caste system, gender inequalities, religious differences, or others, there always tends to be a disproportionate concentration of influence and power, of any means, when trying to maintain an equal society, thereby making it an uphill battle to achieve. But what does it mean to maintain an equal society?
Equality, by definition, is the state of ensuring that two things are the same. Concerning society and people, equality is the claiming of equal rights, equal status, etc. It is an ideal of uniformity or status for all people, and it should be so, regardless of what those who hold the power to affect what equality say about it. Equality, or inequality, for that matter, while considered an ideal is more a state of mind and being, in the sense that it affects everything that a person does. In an equal (albeit mildly utopian) society, the functioning of the system would be vastly different from an unequal society. Being given the freedom of choice (which should be something that should not have to be given, as that implies that it can be taken away) makes all the difference.
Equity, on the other hand, is a means of empowering those who must fight an uphill battle on the road towards achieving equality. It conforms to a socialistic mindset, in the sense that it believes in providing for those who need it more to achieve an ideal equal society. It is a means of curing any imbalances, but it does tend to carry negative connotations in the long run.
How far and how many advantages are necessary before society is equal? Assisting and providing for those who do not have many other advantages in life is a system that works well, up until the point that it is not necessary for everyone anymore, but still exists, thus creating an imbalance just as you rid yourself of one. It can become a never-ending circle of imbalances, and that makes it so that it requires constant supervision and revision.
A prime example of this is the quota into schools and colleges that are given to backward classes. This is, of course, a very necessary practice, but it is necessary to note that not all those who utilize this concession need it, thereby creating an imbalance with regards to those who do not get concessions.
The first flaw comes in recognizing a group of individuals as "backward classes", and not subjecting that status to change, despite a significant change in the conditions surrounding them. It creates a "them and us" situation that does no favors to empower them. Just pushing them along and helping them instead of making them help themselves, which is a laborious process that holds no positive prospects towards the future of a stable society.
The second flaw comes in that once the concessions are made, no one goes back to look through who is relevant to use them. Many people and families have benefitted from the quota system, but are now able to lead a stable, healthy life and livelihood without it. Yet, they are still applicable to receiving it, which creates a bit of an issue because of a suddenly unequal and imbalanced society. If the people in power go back and revise the conditions of who is applicable to receive a quota, then this imbalance would not occur, and the goal of equity, which is to empower people and make sure that they stay where they have gotten, would be fulfilled.
It stands to reason, that equity, when monitored and enforced properly, will lead to an equal society.
It is argued by some, that justice can take equity one step further by fixing the systems in a way that leads to long-term, sustainable, equitable access for generations to come. It is certainly something to pay heed to and would help further goal the of an equal society using equity when it is necessary.
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