BharatNotes Egalitarian
adjective; also nounUsage in a UPSC answer
A genuinely egalitarian republic cannot rest on formal political equality alone; it must actively dismantle the structural inequalities of caste, class, and gender that hollow out the promise of equal citizenship enshrined in the Constitution.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
egalitarianism (n), egalitarians (n pl), egalitarianly (adv), equality (n), equitable (adj)
Root
French égalitaire; French égalité = equality; Latin aequalis = equal; Latin aequus = level, even
Etymology
First recorded c. 1881, from French égalitaire, from égalité 'equality', ultimately from Latin aequalis 'equal', from aequus 'level, even'.
Memory Hook
Hear "EQUAL" inside "EGALitarian" (both from Latin aequalis, "equal") — an egalitarian wants everyone treated as equals.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
Believing in or promoting the equal worth of all people. In GS1, GS2 and Essay it names a commitment rather than a description of fact, which is why an egalitarian society is an aspiration and an egalitarian policy is a design choice. The refinement that earns marks is specifying which equality is meant, since equality of opportunity, of outcome and of status pull in different directions.
Don’t Confuse It With
Egalitarian asserts the equal worth of persons. Equitable means fair, which can require treating people differently to correct disadvantage. Equal means identical in treatment or amount. Meritocratic distributes by demonstrated ability, which can conflict with egalitarian outcomes.
Hindi Meaning
समतावादी (samatāvādī), from समता (samatā, equality).
Common Questions
- What does egalitarian mean?
- Believing in or aiming at the equal worth and standing of all people.
- Is egalitarian the same as equal treatment?
- Not necessarily. Identical treatment can perpetuate disadvantage, which is why egalitarian goals sometimes require differentiated or compensatory measures.
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