Discrimination vs. Inequality — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
Discrimination involves unjust treatment based on specific characteristics, while inequality refers to uneven opportunities or outcomes across a broader spectrum.
Difference Between Discrimination and Inequality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Discrimination specifically refers to biased or unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics like race, gender, age, or religion. Whereas, inequality is a broader term that encompasses disparities in income, opportunities, and resources among different groups or individuals.
Discrimination can be a direct cause of inequality when certain groups are systematically denied opportunities. On the other hand, inequality can exist without direct discrimination due to historical, economic, or social factors.
Discrimination is often actionable under law, with many countries having regulations that prohibit discriminatory practices in employment, education, and housing. Whereas, addressing inequality often involves broader policy measures like education reform, economic assistance, and wealth redistribution.
In instances of discrimination, actions are typically intentional and involve conscious bias or prejudice. In contrast, inequality can be the result of structural or systemic issues that do not necessarily involve deliberate actions.
Discrimination tends to focus on the process by which decisions are made about individuals or groups. While inequality is more concerned with outcomes and the distribution of resources or opportunities in society.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Unfair treatment based on specific traits
Disparities in opportunities and outcomes
Basis
Race, gender, age, etc.
Economic, social, educational factors
Legal Recourse
Often legally addressed
More addressed through policy changes
Nature of Action
Intentional bias or prejudice
Can be structural without direct bias
Primary Concern
Process of decision making
Distribution of resources and outcomes
Compare with Definitions
Discrimination
Unfair or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.
She faced discrimination at work due to her gender.
Inequality
The state of not being equal, especially in status and opportunities.
Economic inequality affects millions worldwide.
Discrimination
Actions that segregate individuals based on inherent traits.
Age discrimination in hiring practices is illegal.
Inequality
Access disparities in education and healthcare.
Inequality in education leads to varied life chances.
Discrimination
Biases in service provision based on ethnicity or race.
They sued the company for racial discrimination.
Inequality
Societal structures that perpetuate disparities.
She studied the roots of social inequality.
Discrimination
Legal frameworks aimed at preventing unequal treatment.
Anti-discrimination laws seek to ensure fairness in the workplace.
Inequality
Efforts to address uneven resource allocation.
New policies are in place to tackle inequality.
Discrimination
Social attitudes that foster exclusion or prejudice.
His campaign against discrimination inspired many.
Inequality
Differences in income and wealth distribution.
Tax reforms aim to reduce financial inequality.
Discrimination
Recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another
Discrimination between right and wrong
Young children have difficulties in making fine discriminations
Inequality
Difference in size, degree, circumstances, etc.; lack of equality
Social inequality
The widening inequalities in income
Discrimination
The selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.
Inequality
The condition of being unequal.
Discrimination
The act of discriminating.
Inequality
An instance of being unequal.
Discrimination
The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
Inequality
Lack of equality, as of opportunity, treatment, or status.
Discrimination
Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.
Inequality
Social or economic disparity
The growing inequality between rich and poor.
Discrimination
Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
Inequality
Lack of smoothness or regularity; unevenness.
Discrimination
(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
Inequality
Variability; changeability.
Discrimination
That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.
Inequality
(Mathematics) An algebraic relation showing that a quantity is greater than or less than another quantity.
Discrimination
The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.
Inequality
(Astronomy) A deviation from uniformity in the apparent motion of a celestial body.
Discrimination
The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.
Inequality
An unfair, not equal, state.
The inequality in living standards led to a civil war as the have nots rebelled.
Discrimination
The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs for substantially the same service.
A difference in rates, not based upon any corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case of discrimination.
Inequality
(mathematics) A statement that of two quantities one is specifically less than (or greater than) another. Symbol: or or or or , as appropriate.
The inequality is less than , together with that
Discrimination
The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
Inequality
The quality of being unequal; difference, or lack of equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity; disproportion; unevenness; disparity; diversity; as, an inequality in size, stature, numbers, power, distances, motions, rank, property, etc.
There is so great an inequality in the length of our legs and arms as makes it impossible for us to walk on all four.
Notwithstanding which inequality of number, it was resolved in a council of war to fight the Dutch fleet.
Sympathy is rarely strong where there is a great inequality of condition.
Discrimination
That which discriminates; mark of distinction.
Inequality
Unevenness; lack of levelness; the alternate rising and falling of a surface; as, the inequalities of the surface of the earth, or of a marble slab, etc.
The country is cut into so many hills and inequalities as renders it defensible.
Discrimination
Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
Inequality
Variableness; changeableness; inconstancy; lack of smoothness or equability; deviation; unsteadiness, as of the weather, feelings, etc.
Inequality of air is ever an enemy to health.
Discrimination
The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
Inequality
Disproportion to any office or purpose; inadequacy; competency; as, the inequality of terrestrial things to the wants of a rational soul.
Inequality
An expression consisting of two unequal quantities, with the sign of inequality (
Inequality
An irregularity, or a deviation, in the motion of a planet or satellite from its uniform mean motion; the amount of such deviation.
Inequality
Lack of equality;
The growing inequality between rich and poor
Common Curiosities
Can discrimination lead to inequality?
Yes, discriminatory practices can result in inequalities by limiting access to resources and opportunities for certain groups.
How can inequality be addressed?
Addressing inequality often involves policy changes, economic reforms, and targeted programs to redistribute resources and opportunities.
What is the primary difference between discrimination and inequality?
Discrimination is about unfair treatment based on specific traits, while inequality refers to disparities in opportunities and outcomes.
What role does education play in combating both discrimination and inequality?
Education can combat discrimination by fostering understanding and respect among diverse groups, and it can reduce inequality by providing equal opportunities for upward mobility.
How do international organizations contribute to the fight against discrimination and inequality?
Organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank implement programs and standards that promote human rights and economic development to reduce discrimination and inequality.
Are there laws against discrimination?
Many countries have laws that specifically prohibit discrimination on the basis of characteristics like race, gender, and religion.
What are common causes of inequality?
Inequality can stem from economic disparities, educational differences, and historical or social structures.
How is inequality measured in a society?
Inequality is often measured using indices like the Gini coefficient, which quantifies income distribution, or by assessing disparities in access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Can inequality exist without discrimination?
Yes, inequality can exist due to structural economic factors, historical circumstances, or varying access to resources that are not necessarily linked to discrimination.
What are examples of policies that address discrimination?
Examples include affirmative action, equal employment opportunity laws, and anti-discrimination policies in housing and education.
How does technology affect discrimination and inequality?
Technology can both mitigate and exacerbate discrimination and inequality; for example, algorithmic bias can lead to discrimination, whereas digital education platforms can help reduce educational inequalities.
What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?
Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favorably specifically because of a characteristic, while indirect discrimination happens when a seemingly neutral policy disproportionately affects a specific group.
How do social movements impact discrimination and inequality?
Social movements can raise awareness, influence public policy, and bring about legislative changes that address both discrimination and inequality.
Are discrimination and inequality issues only in developing countries?
No, both issues are global and affect both developed and developing countries, although the forms and intensities may vary.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
