It is sometimes said that ‘economic equality’ should precede ‘political equality’. What does it mean? Inter-relate fundamental rights and fundamental duties based on the above statement.
Answers
The following points may help you:
a. The principle of equality forms the bedrock of any democratic society, as it ensure no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed , religion or sex and also guarantees equal opportunities to all.
b. Equality has many facets, one of them being political equality which ensures equal set of political rights to all and also universal adult franchise.
c. Likewise economic equality implies equitable distribution of wealth , to allow individuals to manage basic necessities of life.
d. However, when say that economic equality should precedes political equality it means, it is the economic equality which is far more important to be genuinely equal in a society.
e. For example, for a a poor who is not able to manage his basic necessities, political equality would be meaningless, for him right to vote would not accrue any benefits till them he is able to meet his very needs for survival.
f. The wide disparities or the differences existing between the rich and poor leads to unequal distribution of wealth, assets or income in the society where few continue to amass wealth while others are subject to abject poverty.
g.This becomes a major challenge for a democracy as for the poor it is the economic equality, basic necessities of life become more important than political rights or equality.