equality

In political theory, the condition of being equal or the same in given respects, as advocated, for example, in liberalism, socialism, and the women's movement. The efforts of these and other ideologies and movements have brought increased social and political awareness of the condition and secured a basis in law for equality on racial, sexual, and other grounds.

In philosophy, the concept of equality is highly abstract, and it requires a great deal of background before it can be applied rigorously. Absolute equality is rarely advocated. Instead, debates about equality concern to what extent individuals or groups ought to have equality of opportunity, of respect, of rights, of treatment, equality before the law, and so on.