Social justice is difficult to define and implement. It requires equal rights and opportunities for all, but what is fair and just is subjective. The left supports legislation and programs to create a just society, while the right believes in philanthropy. Religion also plays a role. The postmodern critique questions if a just society is possible. The US struggles with issues like poverty and unequal education, but the pursuit of social justice continues.
If you ask many people to define social justice, you will get many different definitions. Definitions will be based on a variety of factors, such as political orientation, religious background, and political and social philosophy. If you ask a postmodernist to talk about this concept, he is likely to tell you that it is a fairy tale that is in no way feasible in any form of society.
A general definition of social justice is difficult to achieve and even more difficult to implement. In essence, it is about equal justice, not just in the courts, but in all aspects of society. This concept requires people to have equal rights and opportunities; everyone, from the poorest on the margins of society to the richest deserve a level playing field.
But what do the words “fair” or “just” mean and what defines equal? Who should be responsible for ensuring that society is a just and fair place? How are social justice policies implemented? Alternatively, should you legislate for justice in society or simply rely on the moral compass of society members?
From a leftist political position, you have to legislate to create a just society, and various programs must exist to raise the money needed to even the playing field between the rich, the middle class, the poor, and those people who are habitually marginalized by society. Equal rights can be defined as equal access to the things that make people successful in any social sector. Thus, leftist philosophy would support things like anti-discrimination laws and equal opportunity programs and favor taxation, especially of those who make a lot of money, to pay for programs that help provide equality for all.
The far left would argue that there are some basic needs that must be offered to all. These include things like truly equal education and safety in all schools and programs that would help all children have the financial opportunity to attend college. Far-left groups, often referred to as socialist even though they differ from true definitions of socialism, further argue that there can be no just society if everyone does not have access to food, safe shelter and medical care. The way to achieve this is through taxation and government implementation of programs that ensure these things for all people.
The right political stance equally supports a just society, but it can criticize those who make wrong choices and believe that while equal opportunities should exist, a government should not legislate for it. Indeed it is argued that social justice is diminished when governments create programs to address it, especially when those programs require higher taxation. Instead, those with more money should be encouraged to be philanthropic, not by paying higher taxes, which is probably unfair.
From a religious standpoint, you’ll find people across the political spectrum who advocate for social justice. Many Christian groups believe you bring justice through Christian acts of mercy, especially those that help people who have been marginalized by society. The Islamic perspective on social justice is similar; one of the Five Pillars of Islam is that everyone should give to the poor. However, some sects of Islam promote views of women and men as different; women are not equal and are submissive to men.
The postmodern critique of the idea of a just society raises an interesting debate. Can there ever be a just society? Can we ever consider all people as inherently equal and having the same rights and privileges? It’s hard to know, since most philosophers would argue that no one has ever created a completely just society, where all people have an equal chance. Even in the most socialist nations there is poverty and an unequal distribution of wealth.
In societies like the United States, which depend on the creation of social justice, we have distinct problems, such as hungry children, homelessness, and problems with ensuring that all children receive the same high standard of education. This is no reason to give up trying to promote a just society and try to aim for it. However, due to the complex nature of society, the United States may never fully achieve justice for all, and the debate about how to achieve this state is ongoing.
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