Equality, Justice and Equity
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
(Aristotle)
Justice cannot be for one side alone but must be for both.
(Eleanor Roosevelt)
Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar.
(DH Lawrence)
The genesis of equality and equity as a concept of social justice arose from a history of evolving philosophies of societal organization and distribution of human rights, responsibilities and services. The principles of equity and equality are always relevant in the context of distributive justice as well as variety of social justice issues. These principles all appeal the idea that fair treatment is a matter of giving people what they deserve. In general, people deserve to be rewarded for their effort and productivity, punished for their transgressions, treated as equal persons, and have their basic needs met. However, because these principles may come into conflict, it is often difficult to achieve these goals simultaneously. The central theories underlying the equity paradigm follow, providing a theoretical background for the concept of equality and justice and its relevance in today’s highly unequal world.
