The essential parts of equality in 3 key messages.

Download Equality: the essential


1- Equality, a principle gained through the revolution

The abolition of privileges in 1789 makes men equal before the law. Each individual can escape from the conditions of his birth and distinguish himself according to “his virtues and his talents”.

This principle implies:

  • The equality of rights between individuals: men and women have the same rights in the scope of social, marital, family and professional life. In France, women can freely dispose of their body, of their life.

  • The equality of access to the rights of the Republic: political rights (right to vote and stand for election for French citizens, of assembly, to express oneself, of association, etc.) social rights (for French people and foreigners), right to healthcare, to education, to work…

It is equality faced with a unique law, across the territory.


2- The state corrects inequalities in the name of equality and solidarity

The school aims at equality for all whatever differences may exist. Equality is taught in schools today, notably by fighting against the stereotypes that weigh down on individuals according to their sex, origins, beliefs…

The state carries out policies that favour republican equality: the Defender of Rights fights against all forms of discrimination on the basis of 20 criteria: appearance, age, sexual orientation, disability, origins, pregnancy, ethnic belonging, politics…

 

3-The equality of rights implies a strict equality of responsibilities

Each citizen has to respect the rights of others, that are identical to their own. Nobody is above the law.

Each citizen has to participate in the common effort through taxes: it is indispensable in order to finance public services. The latter are organised in the common interest allowing to guarantee equality of access to services for all, whatever they earn or wherever they may live in France. Taxes make the police, the justice system, the schools, the hospitals, public transport, rubbish collection… work for everyone in an equal manner.

In France, there is an obligation to contribute financially and civilly to what founds collective life and guarantees the cohesion of society, what is known as the Republican social pact.