CSS 2021 Solved Essays | Universal Human Equality is Utopic
Aqsa Khan, a Sir Syed Kazim Ali student, has attempted the CSS 2021 essay “Universal Human Equality is Utopic” on the given pattern, which Sir Syed Kazim Ali teaches his students. Sir Syed Kazim Ali has been Pakistan’s top English writing and CSS, PMS essay and precis coach with the highest success rate of his students. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice essay writing techniques and patterns to qualify for the essay paper.
Outline
1- Introduction
- Equality is a beacon light that illuminates the path of the world where people enjoy equal rights regardless of their identity.
- Universal human equality is a utopic notion, as the world has not universally welcomed it in a true sense.
- Despite numerous endeavours, global society has failed to attain parity, illustrating that the idea of universal human equality remains unattainable.
2- Debunking the term “Human equality as a utopic notion.”
3- Significance of universal human equality
- Case in point: Frances Wright famously quoted, “Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.”
4- Historical Perspective of universal human equality as a utopic concept
- Case in point: Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote, “Inequality rose as a result of the development of private property and the establishment of societal norms.”
5- Universal Human Equality in the 21st Century: A Critical Overview
6- How is universal human equality an elusive dream and a utopic notion in the contemporary era?
- ✓Economic inequality
- The divide between “haves and have-nots” expands
- Case in point: The richest 1 per cent of the world’s population holds a significant share of global wealth, often exceeding the combined wealth of the remaining 99 per cent. (Economic Inequality Index)
- Climate change policies and fund disparities worldwide
- Case in point: Rich countries, including the United States, China, and European countries, are among the largest CO2 emitters, whereas poor countries bear the greatest brunt of climate change.
- The Covid pandemic increased the chasm between developed and developing countries.
- Case in point: Many high-income countries, including those in North America and Europe, signed contracts with pharmaceutical companies to secure a significant portion of the initial vaccine supply. (Vaccine nationalism)
- The divide between “haves and have-nots” expands
- ✓Political inequality
- Biased humanitarian intervention of peace organizations in wars and conflicts
- Case in point: Lack of consensus among UN member states on the Darfur crisis, the Civil War in Syria, the Kashmir issue, or Iraq military interventions.
- Immigrants lack equal opportunities as other citizens
- Case in point: In the United States of America, immigrants often report experiencing discrimination in various aspects of life, including education attainment, healthcare facilities, equal income and employment opportunities, and living conditions. (Pew Research Center, 2020)
- Biased humanitarian intervention of peace organizations in wars and conflicts
- ✓Social inequality
- Prevalent gender disparity in society
- Case in point: In 2022, the global gender gap has been closed by 68.1%. At the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach full parity.
- Ethnic groups deprived of their equal rights
- Case in point: The Dalits in India – though Roma populations in Eastern Europe and Scottish people in the UK are other examples.
- Digital Divide strips equal access to the digital world
- Case in point: Venezuela and Paraguay feature some of the lowest digital access speeds, followed by Egypt, Yemen and Gabon.
- In 2022, 80% of Europeans had internet access, compared with just 22% of Africans. (International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group)
- Racial discrimination denies people fundamental rights.
- Case in point: The median net worth of White families was about seven times higher than that of Black families and five times higher than that of Hispanic families. (The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, 2019)
- Prevalent gender disparity in society
- ✓Religious Inequality
- Intolerance of one religion against another religion
- Case in point: A Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan recently, vandalizing several churches and setting scores of houses on fire after accusing two of its members of blasphemy.
- Intolerance of one religion against another religion
7- Some endeavours of the world organizations for the realization of universal human equality
- Case in point: The adoption of authoritative international documents such as the United Nations Charter of Human Rights in 1945, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the Genocide Convention of 1948, the revision of the Geneva Conventions in 1949, and the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950.
8- Critical Analysis
9- Conclusion
Equality is a beacon of light that illuminates the path of the world where every individual is valued, recognized, and empowered with equal rights, irrespective of his identity. However, the notion of universal human equality has remained a utopic ideal, as humankind has not yet universally welcomed it. In the annals of history, man has always been treated unequally based on race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, and wealth. The division of people along these lines has made equality a fool’s paradise, refuting the notion of universal human equality as utopic. For instance, the world is divided into developed and under-developed nations based on economic prosperity and development. Moreover, the world’s net 80 per cent of wealth is owned by only 1 per cent of the population, whereas the remaining is distributed among the remaining 99 per cent. Due to economic disparity, the chasm between rich and poor is widening daily, with the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer. Over and above, numerous individuals dismiss the idea of equality by arguing that it is a Western concept forced upon the rest of the world. Although many organizations have proposed charters, conventions, and covenants to diminish inequality, universal human equality has not been realized or attained in a true sense. Evidently, human rights violations still exist in every part of the world. Even though inequality is neither irreversible nor inevitable, man should continue to work to achieve universal human equality. Therefore, it cannot be denied that universal human equality is a utopic concept; there are still mountains to climb, but some notable progress has undoubtedly been achieved to achieve equality. This essay illustrates how universal human equality is utopic and how the world continues to linger in the grasp of inequality despite creating organizations to achieve equality.
“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others but remains more of a slave than they are.”
– Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Equality is a beacon of light that illuminates the path of the world where every individual is valued, recognized, and empowered with equal rights, irrespective of his identity. However, the notion of universal human equality has remained a utopic ideal, as humankind has not yet universally welcomed it. In the annals of history, man has always been treated unequally based on race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, and wealth. The division of people along these lines has made equality a fool’s paradise, refuting the notion of universal human equality as utopic. For instance, the world is divided into developed and under-developed nations based on economic prosperity and development. Moreover, the world’s net 80 per cent of wealth is owned by only 1 per cent of the population, whereas the remaining is distributed among the remaining 99 per cent. Due to economic disparity, the chasm between rich and poor is widening daily, with the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer. Over and above, numerous individuals dismiss the idea of equality by arguing that it is a Western concept forced upon the rest of the world. Although many organizations have proposed charters, conventions, and covenants to diminish inequality, universal human equality has not been realized or attained in a true sense. Evidently, human rights violations still exist in every part of the world. Even though inequality is neither irreversible nor inevitable, man should continue to work to achieve universal human equality. Therefore, it cannot be denied that universal human equality is a utopic concept; there are still mountains to climb, but some notable progress has undoubtedly been achieved to achieve equality. This essay illustrates how universal human equality is utopic and how the world continues to linger in the grasp of inequality despite creating organizations to achieve equality.
To understand the notion that “universal human equality is utopic”, it is pertinent to shed light on the concept of universal human equality and the claim of it being utopic. The term universal human equality denotes that all human beings are equal regardless of their colour, race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, and religion. Meanwhile, the term utopic implies an imaginary place or ideal state in which everything is perfect, especially in social, political, and moral aspects. Clearly, a perfect society is unattainable as there are myriads of inequalities that take place in all communities. Moreover, man is not able to achieve the idealistic vision of social, political, or economic perfection. In human societies, inequalities exist in various forms, such as vertical and horizontal inequality, which are formidable. Therefore, it is undeniable that universal human equality is utopic, which is not just a claim but a grim reality.
Evidently, the notion of universal human equality holds a profound significance in economic, social, political, and philosophical contexts. Through universal human equality, man can shape just, inclusive, and compassionate societies. It can bring far-reaching impacts on various facets of the world. Undoubtedly, people can obtain their fundamental rights through the practice of equality regardless of their race, gender, colour, and ethnicity. According to Frances Wright, “Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.” Clearly, universal human equality preserves the sense of self-determination and dignity of individuals, and it challenges all kinds of discrimination. Therefore, it serves as a cornerstone for the preservation of human rights, justice, and diversity on both local and global levels.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
-United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR)
In the annals of history, mankind has witnessed inequality in one form or another, refuting the notion of universal human inequality as utopic. In ancient times, primitive people used to live in small groups and gather resources. With the scarcity of resources, social tensions arose, and people started to scatter around the globe. When they shifted from hunting and gathering to farming, they started accumulating resources, which led to the creation of an imbalance in society. With increased farming, territorial attachment and property ownership became important, which gave rise to feuds, wars, slaves, and the invention of tools. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “Inequality emerged as a result of the development of private property and the establishment of societal norms.” With bigger cities and centralized governments, these small groups transformed into social hierarchies, leading to full-blown inequality. Therefore, history depicts that universal human equality has been a utopic ideal in primitive societies.
Clearly, in the contemporary era, man faces a plethora of challenges in the pursuit of equality, including economic, social, and political aspects, which manifest that universal human equality is a utopic concept. To begin with, the notion of “haves and have-nots” is gaining strong momentum in society, which endorses the fact that universal human equality is utopic. The concept of haves and have-nots depicts the divide between people who possess wealth, resources, advantages, or opportunities and those who lack these same benefits. Due to this gap, many issues, such as income inequality, social unrest, and disparities in access to education, healthcare, and basic human rights, take place. According to the Economic Inequality Index, “The richest 1 per cent of the world’s population holds a significant share of global wealth, often exceeding the combined wealth of the remaining 99 per cent.” As a result, the chasm between these two groups lowers the living standards of some people and restricts their choices, resulting in further inequality in society.
Moreover, disparities in climate change policies and funding worldwide are evident as richer nations such as the United States, China, and European countries, which are major contributors to CO2 emissions, contrast starkly with poorer countries that suffer the most from the consequences of climate change. For instance, rich countries, including the United States, China, and European countries, are among the largest CO2 emitters, whereas poor countries, like Pakistan, bear the greatest brunt of climate change. This discrepancy proves that climate change funds distribution and mitigation are not equally addressed by rich and poor nations, which further exacerbates inequality in society.
In addition, the Covid pandemic has widened the gap between developed and developing nations, affirming that universal human equality is utopic. Affluent countries have had the resources to swiftly secure vaccine contracts and health facilities, while less privileged countries have struggled to access sufficient doses. This dichotomy in health facilities and vaccine distribution has not only deepened global health disparities but also hindered the collective effort to curb the pandemic. For instance, numerous high-income nations in North America and Europe entered contracts with pharmaceutical companies, reserving a substantial share of the early vaccine stock, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “vaccine nationalism.” This approach inadvertently underscored the disparities in pandemic responses, highlighting the chasm between developing and under-developed nations. Therefore, the pandemics have emphasized the inequalities taking place around the globe, which depicts that universal human equality is utopic.
Over and above, the biased nature of humanitarian interventions by peace organizations during times of war and conflict has raised concerns about their effectiveness and impartiality, proving that universal human equality is merely a utopic notion. Often, these interventions reflect the interests and priorities of powerful nations, leading to imbalanced outcomes that perpetuate global inequalities. A clear example can be observed in the lack of consensus among UN member states regarding interventions in various situations, such as the Darfur crisis, the Civil War in Syria, the Kashmir issue, or military actions in Iraq. These instances highlight the challenges of achieving a united approach to addressing conflicts, as differing agendas and political influences can undermine the intended humanitarian goals. As such, ensuring impartiality and prioritizing the well-being of affected populations should be central to the efforts of peace organizations in fostering lasting resolutions.
Furthermore, immigrants frequently encounter disparities in access to equal opportunities compared to other citizens, verifying that universal human equality is utopic. These inequalities manifest across multiple domains, encompassing education, healthcare, income, employment, and living conditions, reflecting broader systemic challenges within societies. In the United States of America, for instance, immigrants have reported instances of discrimination, hindering their pursuit of quality education, proper healthcare, fair income, and suitable employment opportunities. Immigrants often face these hurdles, reinforcing the urgency for comprehensive policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity and eradicate discriminatory practices. As a result, the lack of equal-citizen treatment of immigrants proves that universal human equality is utopic, which further damages social cohesion and diversity in the world.
Apart from this, gender disparity remains a pervasive issue in society, impacting various facets of life, which affirms that universal human equality is only an idealistic approach. Despite some advances, the global gender gap was only closed by 68.1% in 2022. At the current pace, achieving full gender parity is estimated to take as long as 132 years, as evidenced by the projected timeline based on the available data. This case in point underscores the urgent need for targeted actions, policy reforms, and cultural shifts to accelerate the closing of gender gaps and create a more inclusive and equitable world for all. As a consequence, this pervasive issue is consistently affecting the progress of gender empowerment, exacerbating the inequality in society.
On top of that, ethnic groups often find themselves deprived of their equal rights in society, highlighting the notion of universal human equality as a mere utopia. These groups are often marginalized, and their voices are suppressed due to persistent neglect and discrimination. For instance, the case of the Dalits in India, as well as examples like the Roma populations in Eastern Europe and Scottish people in the UK, exemplifies the challenges faced by marginalized ethnic communities in securing their rights and opportunities. These groups remain exclusive because they are ignored by authorities, making them unable to participate in society. For that reason, the ethnic groups face social exclusion, which further establishes the fact that universal human equality does not exist in the practical realm.
Besides, the digital divide remains a stark reality, with unequal access to technology posing significant challenges to global connectivity and progress, which reinforces the fact that universal human equality is utopic in nature. The lack of access to digital devices and the internet further exacerbates the economic difference between the poor and the rich, which, in turn, increases the sense of isolation and depravity. Countries like Venezuela, Paraguay, Egypt, Yemen, and Gabon grapple with limited digital access speeds, revealing disparities in technological infrastructure. This divide is further evident on a continental scale, where in 2022, 80 per cent of Europeans enjoyed internet access compared to a mere 22 cent of Africans, as reported by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group. Bridging this gap requires strategic investments, policy initiatives, and international cooperation to ensure that all individuals can harness the benefits of the digital age.
What’s more, persistent racial discrimination sustains significant inequalities, as demonstrated by pronounced gaps in the distribution of wealth and access to various opportunities across diverse racial groups, which prove that universal human equality is utopic. This striking contrast underscores the deep-rooted racial inequities that persist within societies, limiting the opportunities and hindering upward mobility for marginalized communities. According to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances 2019, “The median net worth of White families was about seven times higher than that of Black families and five times higher than that of Hispanic families. These racial inequalities debar the racial groups to enjoy their fundamental rights equally, exacerbating their woes. In consequence, racial discrimination leads to a divided society, which negates the existence of universal human equality.
To top it all, the intolerance of one religion against another is a distressing phenomenon, which further induces that universal human equality is utopic. The divide among religions and hatred of people towards one another not only threaten lives and property but also erode the foundations of a tolerant and diverse society. A recent example includes the attack in eastern Pakistan, where a Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community, vandalizing several churches and setting scores of houses on fire after accusing two of its members of blasphemy. Such intolerance deprives people of weak religious groups of their fundamental human rights, assigning them to a lower category of human beings. Therefore, the lack of tolerance towards other religions reduces the diversity in society and makes people biased, which leads to further inequality in society.
Undoubtedly, with the globalization and digitalization of the world, inequality is becoming more pronounced. However, many organizations have emerged to attain equality to a considerable degree. The establishment of peace and human rights organizations has played a significant role in reducing inequality around the globe. Moreover, many organizations and world forums have formulated bills, conventions, and covenants for the attainment of universal human equality. For instance, the adoption of authoritative international documents such as the United Nations Charter of Human Rights in 1945, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948; the Genocide Convention of 1948, the revision of the Geneva Conventions in 1949, and the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 is evidence that people altogether are making efforts to achieve equality. Therefore, if these organizations continue their struggle to prevail equality as the flagship of the world, society will enjoy the fruits of equality worldwide.
In a nutshell, it is concluded that universal human equality has remained a utopic notion where achieving a perfect and ideal society has become nearly impossible. Equality has turned into a buzzword which is cherished by everyone, but no one is willing to practice it in the true sense. Evidently, the economic, social, and political differences in societies are negating the sense of universal human equality, leading to an unequal world. The global economic disparity gap has worsened, leading to the affluent becoming wealthier while the less fortunate experience worsening poverty. In addition, the social gaps have deprived people of colour and different races and genders from availing a multitude of opportunities. Political inequality has deprived many people of their fundamental rights, leading to an underprivileged class within society. Undoubtedly, inequality has not only threatened the political and socio-economic of people but also jeopardized the realization of all forms of rights everywhere. Notwithstanding, some rights are not universal, but many organizations have made continuous efforts to dampen inequality in society. Therefore, universal human equality is certainly a utopic notion and a far cry from reality.
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| 1- | “Do not waste water even if you were at a running stream”. |
| 2- | Meaning purposive education. |
| 3- | COVID-19: A wake-up call for Pakistani researchers. |
| 4- | Human inventions move societies backward. |
| 5- | Universal human equality is utopic. |
| 6- | Bureaucracy doldrums. |
| 7- | Gender equality: A popular slogan. |
| 8- | Pros and cons of globalization. |
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