I think, both have high correlation. However, it takes very long time to achieve. 

Dear Kayode:

"Equality of conditions" --a term coined by Tocqueville-- facilitates the emergence of  democracy and / or its stabilization and performance. We can interpret "equality of conditions" as the absence of big differences --of economic, social and cultural character-- among the members of a society  We see that where social inequalities and divisions are very deep, democracy is not impossible or improbable --the history of Latin America is a good example--, but it is hard to achieve and maintain. At the same time, equality is a democratic goal. Freedom, equality, respect for others, diversity, participation in public affairs, are all values and goals that every genuine democracy should pursue. 

See Alexis DeTocqueville, of course.  This question cannot be addressed without reference to Democracy in America.  See also Joseph Schumpeter, Capitalism, SociaIism and Democracy.  I also refer you to the classic work of Robert Dahl, both the younger Dahl who defended "Polyarchal Democracy" (see A Preface to Democratic Theory, 1956), and the later Dahl who saw social equality and important to democracy.  Also see the work of David Held and C.B. Macpherson.  See particularly Macpherson, The Life and Times of Liberal Democracy, and the Real World of Democracy. 

Providing equal opportunities , subject to education, merit, experience is the essence of fundamental rights of citizens in any democracy. To ensure these rights judiciary, press, civil society, and overall vigilance of the citizenry are critical. Equality and democracy have to go hand in hand. 

Ensuring and enhancing equal opportunity is a fundamental right of citizens. However, It seems difficult to be attainable  in  most developing countries, where leaders or ruling parties tend to suppressed the Will of the majority in the name of democracy. Examples abound in most African countries and even in Asia.  So, which one precedes the other?

Yes very much , democracy and equality both work in tandem . Such things , you cant bring through dictatorship policy. Democracy is the ultimate answer, where  you are governed by the people , for people and from the people through a policy of census.

real democracy can provide equality, but in many developing countries majority in the name of democracy is pressing minority on ethnic, tribe and religion etc, basis. In most developing countries low turn out in elections is a serious problem.

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.

--- Alexis de Tocqueville

Not possible in present situation since Democracy is not its true sense. 

Democratic, true democratic societies assume equality as one of its primary values. Different cultures brings differences in equalities. 

Equality is the condition or the aim to be established. On the other hand, democracy is one of the means to accomplish equality. Thus, equality is not yet fully met in the democratic countries.

I think, it is root of democracy to provide equality. Democracy used to give right of equality to its people. However, some section of the society do not follow it and also lack of morality creates difference among the citizens on the state.

Two means of achieving equality were reinforced by historical, political and economic factors. This relational idea of equality was articulated in connection with three other notions: similarity, independence and citizenship. The ideas of singularity, reciprocity and commonality offer a way towards reformulating the idea of equality. We are to restore strength to the project of building a society of equals, where democratic equality in relations must come first.

What do you mean with 'equality' from the point of view of the person that will be elected and those that will elect the person? There will always be bias, or not? 

I aggree that democracy is a pre-requisite to equaliy. Equality may be attained if there is  a system of ethics coded in law, that prevenis the abuse of power.

I aggree that democracy is a pre-requisite to equaliy. Equality may be attained if there is  a system of ethics coded in law, that prevenis the abuse of power.

Dear @Kayode, let me bring some resources that brings info about gender equality under democracy, as well as some other issues of equality&democracy!

Article The promise of equality under democracy continues to be a qu...

Article Freedom, Equality and the Quality of Democracy: Democratic L...

Article Introduction: Civicness, Equality, and Democracy—A “Dark Sid...

 Thank you Jacic,  see my  articles for information on Nigerian experience.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLES AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA,  Sustaining Democratic Rule In Nigeria: The Corruption Tide,  Federal Character and National Integration in Nigeria: The Need for Discretion and Interface.

Winners take it all is one of the pitfalls of democracy. But equality of opportunity irrespective of your color, religion, region, caste, creed , provided you have requisite merit and other conditions fulfilled, is a universal democratic principle. This is also supported by the UN. You can not rule out class-system in a society. But what you cannot deny is the right of the citizens to ask for opportunities. Democracy should look for egalitarianism. Sad enough, money power, corruption, and cronyism are eating into the vitals of democracy. More than 90 percent of wealth is accumulated in the hands of 1 percent of the population. What can you do about that? Democracy gets stunted there. It is the good politicians and people at large who have to fight for egalitarianism. And lastly, democracy and development should go parallel. Human rsouce management is the way forward, may be.  Thanks

Equality supposes that all humans are equal, which is obviously untrue; it also supposes that all cultural groups are equal, which is also untrue, and so it follows that if a democratic majority imposes equality on an unequal reality, this democratic majority is violating the rights of minorities with greater talents. However, in reality, a high proportion of the population in Western countries, even the majority, recognizes the inequality of talents among different groups in our society, and would be willing to accept this inequality of results in the pursuit of education and jobs, but in Western society our leftist elites have immense control over our education and media, and they have manipulated large segments of the population into believing that  existing inequalities are due to discrimination or other unfair imbalances, rather than due to the natural inequalities of humans. 

What democracy?

Abstract

Each of four theoretical traditions in the study of American politics – which can be characterized as theories of Majoritarian Electoral Democracy, Economic Elite Domination, and two types of interest group pluralism, Majoritarian Pluralism and Biased Pluralism – offers different predictions about which sets of actors have how much influence over public policy: average citizens; economic elites; and organized interest groups, mass-based or business-oriented. A great deal of empirical research speaks to the policy influence of one or another set of actors, but until recently it has not been possible to test these contrasting theoretical predictions against

each other within a single statistical model. This paper reports on an effort to do so, using a unique data set that includes measures of the key variables for 1,779 policy issues. Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. The results provide substantial support for theories of Economic Elite Domination and for theories of Biased Pluralism, but not for theories of Majoritarian Electoral Democracy or Majoritarian Pluralism.

Dear Dr. Kayode Asaju,

Democracy provides platform to work for equality. But we should not confuse about equality, the equality is a set, comprising of large number of elements.

Dear Kayode Asaju,

Neither a true democracy nor egalitarianism has ever been achieved in any past society, so, based on historical experience, it is rather difficult to say whether they may exist coevally.

Best regards,

Bob 

"I know no way of judging the future, except by the past." ~ Patrick Henry

Democracy is a necessary condition for equality but is not s sufficient condition for it.

Democracy and equity are two separate, different objectives that do not necessarily have to occur simultaneously. There is no principle in the rules of democracy that a government seeks to prevent equity and itself could be assumed that the democratic method would tend to favor the electoral victories and thus the capacity of government, who may seek equity. Like, although it is not necessary that whoever from the government seeks equity originating in a democratic procedure, theoretically the requirement to face regular electoral competition would be an incentive to the adoption of proposals for government and exercise government that serves the achievement equity.

Democracy will ensure equality if its economy is strong and it will stop poverty, inequality and unemployment. It is not hard to achieve. All social levels must be included in the process.

yes it is possible to achieve equality and democracy at same time only discrimination by races, religion, caste and economical standard should stop and people should be focused towards development mostly media and government can make it possible only if they will honest with development issues 

yes Madam, Equality and  Democracy develop in same time if media & government will support.

Just getting vote in name of democracy but actually it's dictatorship in various countries

Probably you can achieve equality of opportunities (and it is democratic), but certainly not the results. Nature does not give gifts equally.

great views of all the my dear friends.... from your views i can synthesize that both democracy and equality complimentary to each other..... democracy is not possible without equality and equality cannot be achieved without democracy... and i think no country in the world is complete democratic.....because there are prevalence of differences all over... e.g. India is the biggest democracy but not a complete democratic country... and here the politicians and capitalists are ruling the most of the people and exploiting them....  

If economy is strong in Democracy that proves  good for country and it  will stop poverty, inequality and  unemployment. The relational idea of equality was articulated in connection with three other notions: Similarity, independence and citizenship.  We are to restore strength to the project of building a society of  equals, where democratic equality in relations must come first.

If we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve such a society through violence. If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society. If we desire a society that is democratic, then democracy must become a means as well as an end.

--- Bayard Rustin

Dear Kayode,

in the answer of your question: "Can democracy guarantee equality?" will be showed that between democracy and equality exists no relationship.

One can show, that equality is not as component in the definition of democracy included. No human is equal the other and we should not look for a system which promises all men are equal. No we have to look for a system which guarantees a good, peaceful life in inequality for all. I think democracy is not ideal but the best under the existing political systems.

All the best

Michael Lersow

As I said before we have no experience of equality in democratic countries. But as said Churchill democracy is the best we encountered. Maybe in the limit democratic countries approach equality, leaded by scandinavian countries.

If you mean, "equality of opportunity," then sure. Democracy and equality of opportunity would go hand in hand, given that it is to the benefit of the vast majority of the people.

Equality all by itself is hard to decipher, because it implies same-ness. As in the = sign in math. You won't get that in any society. That's not the way the natural sciences work.

Under equality we may not understand at first that we are all equal. If one understands equality as an equal opportunity, then this is an essential component of a democratic society. Both equality and democracy are initially abstract terms that can be considered in each case in connection with the carrying them society. The society is to be understood as a dynamic, ever-changing process, in which the social groups are in permanent competition.

Nice evening

Michael Lersow

See ...

See ...

Dear friends,

I think we're confusing between a basic human right (equality) and governance system (democracy). Democray dose'nt aim to achieve equality, the latter has more chences to be achieved in democratic countries but also in other systems (theocratic, tribalic, .....).

My question is : is there realy democracy in so called democratic countries? I dont think so!!!

Salutations.