Equality and Social Justice in Western Societies
Equality and Social Justice in the West
Challenges to Equality
Equal rights and opportunities should be available to everyone in Western societies. However, several challenges hinder widespread equality.
Economic and Social Equality
All members of society should have the same opportunities for personal development. This requires a robust network of public services, including education and social assistance.
Political and Legal Equality
All members of society should be guaranteed the fulfillment of their recognized rights. Everyone is equal before the law, should have legal protection, and should not be subjected to abuse.
Solidarity
Solidarity is the responsible attitude of citizens helping those who are not in a situation of equality. The state has the obligation to serve its citizens and strive for a more just situation. This requires resources such as taxes, fees, and levies that citizens pay to maintain social stability and equality.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the rejection or exclusion of an individual or group by a majority group. It manifests as indifference to the conditions of those in need and intolerant attitudes that can escalate into verbal and physical aggression.
Causes of discrimination include:
- Lack of resources to cover basic needs.
- Physical or psychological differences leading to prejudice and stereotypes that affect a person’s dignity.
- Unusual behaviors or attitudes, such as those of prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics, the elderly, the handicapped, and the mentally ill.
- Social or personal conditions that lead to rejection, ridicule, and contempt, such as having AIDS or being bullied.
Social Exclusion
Social exclusion represents serious cases of discrimination where individuals are denied their fundamental rights. Democratic societies must make an effort to integrate these people.
Immigration and Cultural Diversity
Cultural differences are diminishing due to new technologies and large population displacements. Migration has increased dramatically in the latter half of the 20th century, creating significant cultural diversity.
Racism
Racism is the belief that some humans are superior to others based on race or cultural customs.
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is the rejection of foreign people due to fear or phobia of what is strange or foreign, often stemming from ignorance.
Coexistence in Diversity
Different approaches to coexistence include:
- Multiculturalism: Various cultures coexist in one space but remain separate.
- Interculturalism: Different cultures live together, sharing the same space.
- Integration: Assimilation of the migrating culture into the receiving culture.
The Law as a Guarantee of Rights
We must abide by the laws, and in turn, the laws allow us to live in society with a certain guarantee of justice, liberty, and equality. They determine and make democratic life possible.
The Rule of Law
Laws are debated, enacted, and approved by constitutional bodies.
The Principle of Legitimacy
Laws should not contain manifest injustice or abusive elements and must be recognized and accepted by all citizens.
Social Disobedience
Social disobedience is a public, non-violent, conscious, and political act against the law intended to cause a change in the law. Three conditions justify social disobedience:
- When the prospect of legal action has been exhausted.
- When the protest is directed against a specific case of manifest injustice.
- When disobedience activities do not endanger the constitutional order.
Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection is “civil” disobedience to the law when its enforcement goes against the basic moral principles of an individual’s conscience.
The Fight for Equality
The active struggle for women’s equality began in the 18th century. One of the first advocates was Mary Wollstonecraft, who asserted that inequality between men and women is not a natural condition but a product of society and tradition. The struggle continues, and international instruments have been created to protect the specific rights of women.
Condition of Women Today
Women are still in a state of inequality. They may be legally dependent on their father or husband, lack access to land ownership, are more vulnerable to harassment, and suffer violence, rape, and continued daily discrimination. The “macho” man views women as property who must take a lesser role in society. This mindset leads to gender-based violence, inequality in employment opportunities and executive positions, and unequal pay, even when men and women occupy the same job positions.