Oh my word Equal, Inequality, Unequal (2)

“What is a communist?—One who has yearnings for equal division of unequal earnings. Idler or bungler, he is willing to fork out his penny and pocket your shilling.” –Ebenezer Elliott Equality is a noun: fairness, justness, treating someone equally. In this sense, the opposite of equality is inequality.

One of the challenges of modern India is the social inequalities which could cause social unrest. Equality also refers to sameness, balance, parity, likeness, uniformity, evenness. In this sense, its opposite is disparity. As there is lack of social equality in the country there are also economic disparities which the modern India is attempting rectify through various socio-economic policies since its independence.

Why are we having economic and social disparities and inequalities in the world? Because the few have more money, and more have little money, and that is why some countries tax the rich more than the poor as means to have socially acceptable incomes. Equalize (equalise) is a verb meaning make equal, level it up with someone or something; standardize.

Is United Nations an equalizing body in the affairs of the world? Unequal is an adjective, and the exact opposite of equal. Unequal refers to something not proportionate, disproportionate, unbalanced,; differing from something; unmatched.

Is US an unequalled superpower in the 21st century? Not exactly, Russia and China are competing with it in many spheres. Unequalled (unequaled) is an adjective meaning there is no parallel to something or someone in the respective field; unrivalled, second to none.

Roger Federer has almost achieved unequalled eminence in tennis though his number one ranking has slipped the rise of Djokovic.

Inequality means lack of equality in something or someone, size, degree, circumstances, disparity between two people or countries, or among people, prejudice, difference, bias, diversify, lack of balance in someone thing.

Caste inequalities mar social cohesion in the country but class (middle class, upper class) is eliminating it to some degree. Social inequalities are the bane of a nation but capitalist countries are such that while the socialist countries are not. But India is a socialist country? Credit Sussie brings out Global Health Report every year on wealth inequality in the world.

Research needed to find out which policies reduce inequality – Janet Yellen, US’ Federal Chief Looking Away: Inequality, Prejudice and Indifference in New India is the title of the book of Harsh Mander. Tribal alienation is one of the reasons cited for the unequal India. With the accurate and comprehensive pictures of the trends in global inequality, India can take cues in order to rectify the inequalities and unequal incomes.

Kovuuri G Reddy