Definition of Social JusticeThe fairness of a society to all of its members and particularly to those with limited political and economic power.
Social justice centers on rights and freedoms. However, it also looks at the de facto adversity that individuals and minority groups face in a society such as discrimination, economic injustice, political disenfranchisement and environmental injustice. The following are commonly considered social justice issues.
Discrimination
Discrimination is when you are treated unfairly or differently based on aspects of your identity such as ethnicity or life situation such as poverty. This includes interpersonal discrimination whereby people treat you differently in social situations. This can be a real obstacle as you may be dealing with microaggressions and social exclusion each day of your life. However, perhaps the more serious form of discrimination is when the systems and institutions of society are designed to be disadvantageous to you.
Rights & Freedoms
Social justice is concerned with the fair treatment of individuals and groups by society. In a democratic society, the majority rules and the fair treatment of anyone outside the majority is protected by rights and freedoms. Rights are what society owes individuals and freedoms are limits on what society can demand of individuals. In practice, these two terms are used somewhat interchangeably.
Community Issues
Social justice isn't confined to abstract questions of fairness but looks at the real world quality of life of communities. Society is viewed as having a duty to solve community issues such as poverty and addiction and to look at ways that injustices such as discrimination may be causing such problems.
Economic Justice
The fairness of the economic system of a society including education systems, job markets, financial systems and fair competition. Social justice has a particular interest in the roots of economic disparities such as unequal access to education or employment discrimination.
Environmental Justice
Fairness in the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. This begins with generational justice whereby it is hardly fair for one generation to degrade the planet for the next. Environmental justice is also concerned with exposure to pollution, environmental risks and other negative environmental effects such as urban heat islands. It is further concerned with the distribution of environmental benefits such as beach access.
Political Issues
Political issues related to fairness to people and communities including things like criminal justice reform and funding to address community issues.
Principles of Social Justice
The constitutions of nations such as the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights include principles of social justice that layout how minority groups are to be protected from the potential tyranny of the majority. For example the eighth amendment to the Bill of Rights that states "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." This is relevant to modern arguments that fines and bail practices disadvantage lower socioeconomic classes who may struggle to pay and end up with escalating issues as a result.The rights and freedoms listed above are all based on the constitutions of nations and similar documents such as the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.Summary
Social justice is the pursuit of fairness for the members of a society. This is primarily concerned with the fairness of power structures towards individuals and minority groups. This is because it is assumed that the majority is running things in a democracy such that it is more likely that minority groups are facing unfairness.
