How social inequality can be reduced?

Answer 1

Social inequality arises out of extremely negative prejudgements about other social groups that arises from and is reflected in generations of cultural and religious practices; due to wide income gap between different social groups reflected in terms of poor nutrition, poor sanitation and hygiene leading to poor health, consequent limited productive capacity, poor literacy level and consequent ignorance of basic human rights, which are violated by groups of higher social status. As a result people belonging to lowest socio-economic groups are caught in a viscious cyle of poverty ,deprivation and discrimination.

Social inequality can be addressed gradually as a silent transformation involving the participation of civil society at large, media and public administration.

Media should take a proactive stand in highlighting the ills of social discrimination; of how the increasing disparity will destabilise the society in the form of civil rebellion sooner or later; of how including the people of marginalised social groups in the mainstream will only add to the economic prosperity of the nation as a whole and provide a social security to those affected groups.

Civil society that is a group of civilians coming together for a common cause must take up the issue of social disparity and should cater to addressing the needs of different socially marginalised groups in their neighbourhood; this can be taken up by staging protest marches against specific atrocities, pooling in money and intellectual resources to provide for a better education, health, etc;

by appreciating the group differences and coopting them in implementing programmes affecting the community as a whole, thereby raising their self efficacy(expectations about self).

The public administration which implements the public policy and law enacted in the State's legislature must do so in a way that is transparent, accountable and responsive especially to the needs of socially marginalised groups. They should be receptive of the special needs of groups, coopt them in crucial decisions affecting their livelihood, settlement and security and implement all the public programmes effectively . For this to be possible, the political administrators must be comfortable with decentralisation i.e. the decision making powers must be granted at various levels of the public organisation.

In the era of Knowledge economy, it is essential to make use of ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) in spreading awareness among the general majority groups as to the negative effects of their mental stereotypes against the lower socio-economic groups, which will only rebound in the form of left wing extremism of the repressed groups.

In educational institutions right from the primary level, the significance and positives of integration of all social groups must be acknowledged; a sense of brotherhood, compassion, empathy, love and non-violence must be inculcated throughout an individuals educational life. This must be complemented by making children participate in community programmes by sharing and working for the betterment of lower social groups and integrating them into mainstream life. Today's children are tommorows' adults and so inculcating positive attitudes in them will certainly lead to a gradual change in the mindset of the generation.

It is indeed the time to reduce social inequality by all chanels available, else the essence of humanity that is already dissipating in a market led economy, will be completely degraded and signal a definite social crisis. It is not too late to bring back the values of love and empathy, preached in all religions for the saner and safe world of tomorrow.