Principle of competition
Topic: Equality and Social Justice · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Equality"
Meaning
The principle of competition is the liberal view that free and fair competition is the fairest and most efficient way to share out rewards, jobs and admissions. Liberals do not demand equal results. They think the state should guarantee a minimum standard of living and equal opportunity, and then let people compete. They also treat political, social and economic inequality separately. Their problem is unjust, entrenched inequality, not inequality as such.
Example
Admission and recruitment through competitive entrance exams follow this principle. India's Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 protects such exams from cheating and paper leaks, so that the competition stays fair.
Don't confuse with
- Meritocracy: meritocracy means rewarding measured talent and effort. The principle of competition adds that the state must also secure a basic minimum and equal opportunity for the competition to be fair.
- Equality of outcome: this aims at equal results. Liberals reject that aim and prefer fair competition.