Chapter: Social Justice

• Introduction & Meaning

  • What is Justice?
    • Fairness and impartiality in society
    • Treating equals equally and unequals based on proportionate justice
  • What is Social Justice?
    • Absence of socially privileged classes
    • Equal treatment of all citizens based on human dignity
    • Elimination of discrimination (caste, gender, religion, race)

• Dimensions of Justice

  • Legal Justice: Rule of law, fair trials, and impartial judiciary
  • Political Justice: Universal adult suffrage, equal political rights
  • Economic Justice: Reduction of wealth gaps, basic needs fulfilled, equal work opportunities
  • Social Justice: Equal social value, removal of untouchability and social barriers

• Need for Social Justice

  • Historical inequalities and prejudices
  • Disparities in wealth, power, and resources
  • Promoting social harmony and national integration
  • Upholding the core values of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution

• Instruments & Methods to Achieve Social Justice

  • Constitutional Provisions (Indian Context)
    • Fundamental Rights (Articles 14, 15, 16, 17)
    • Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP - Article 38, 39)
  • Protective Discrimination / Affirmative Action
    • Reservations in education and public employment for SCs, STs, and OBCs
    • Special welfare schemes for marginalized communities
  • Equal Access to Basic Goods
    • Education, healthcare, sanitation, and housing for all

• Philosophies of Social Justice

  • Aristotle's Concept: Distributive justice (proportional equality)
  • John Rawls' Theory: "Veil of Ignorance"
    • Designing a fair society without knowing one's future social status
    • Difference principle: Inequalities are justified only if they benefit the least advantaged
  • Karl Marx's View: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs"

• Challenges to Social Justice

  • Deep-rooted social prejudices and stereotypes
  • Economic globalization increasing the rich-poor divide
  • Corruption and inefficiency in welfare implementation
  • Resistance from dominant groups against affirmative action