The euphemistic term “equality” (Gleichstellung) denotes the opposite of equal rights: equal rights (Equality) means that everyone is treated according to the same rules, while equality (Equity) means unequal treatment and redistribution to achieve equality of outcome.183 Equal rights as a guideline means not caring about a person’s identity and applying universal standards. In the ideal case, persons are judged solely according to suitability (see Performance).
Activists for equality do not care about suitability but want to achieve equity: on the basis of social-constructivist theories, it is assumed that participation is caused only by power structures (see CRT). Primary factors for equality are gender and ethnicity. The goal is an intersectionally representative form of participation.
Under the slogans “diversity and inclusion”, equality is already being advanced in many organisations.184 Feminist gender mainstreaming often forms the starting point. Age distributions, proportions of migrants, sexual identities, religions, etc., can also be taken into account for equality.
Every form of equality distorts competition. A good example of this is the composition of the Bundestag. For actual gender equality, roughly equal numbers of men and women would have to sit in the Bundestag (if the proportion of non-binary persons is neglected). As long as members of parliament are freely elected, unequal distributions will always arise.185