Understanding Social Justice, Discrimination, and the Path to Peace

Posted on Nov 13, 2024 in Social sciences

1. Differences, Inequalities, and Justice

Why are differences good and inequalities unjust?

Differences are beneficial because they broaden our worldview by exposing us to diverse cultures. Learning from one another enriches our lives and expands our economic power through the exchange of goods, industrial and technological advancements, and internationalization. For instance, the adoption of Arabic numerals revolutionized mathematics. The greater the variety of cultures, the richer the global culture becomes. Imagine a country that only produces oranges; its diet would be limited no matter how delicious oranges are. By embracing other cuisines, they can enjoy pizza, burgers, Chinese food, and kebabs, enriching their culinary experience. This principle extends to scientific advancements as well. Without cross-cultural learning and exchange, we might still rely on manual production methods, lacking the industries and factories that drive progress.

Inequalities, however, are unjust because they deny equal rights and opportunities to all individuals. If we are all equal, we should all have the same chances to succeed, but this is not the reality. By perpetuating inequalities, we deprive ourselves of learning from other cultures and, in essence, weaponize differences to mistreat each other. This is both unwise and unfair. For example, the historical subjugation of women based on perceived inferiority is illogical as it hinders learning and progress.

2. Forms of Discrimination

Certain individuals or groups are often deprived of the minimum resources necessary for personal development due to various forms of discrimination:

1. Lack of Access to Education and Training: Individuals who haven’t received basic education or appropriate training face significant disadvantages.
2. Ethnic Discrimination: Belonging to a marginalized ethnic group, such as Roma or Maghreb communities, can lead to prejudice and exclusion.
3. Gender Discrimination: Women have historically been relegated to secondary roles and even denied basic rights. Similarly, homosexual individuals face discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
4. Disability Discrimination: People with disabilities are often treated as less than human, facing prejudice and lack of accessibility.
5. Age Discrimination: Older individuals, particularly retirees, may be considered unproductive and face discrimination in employment and social participation.
6. Poverty and Economic Inequality: Individuals without jobs, low wages, or lack of assets struggle to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.

3. Defining Poverty

Is it possible to accurately define poverty?

The concept of poverty is relative, varying depending on a country’s wealth and the surrounding environment. In a poor country, someone who owns a television or a small shop might be considered wealthy. However, in a developed country, a wealthy person might own multiple mansions and billions of dollars. To illustrate this, consider the following story:

A mountaineer visited an isolated village in Tibet with no telephones or televisions and asked who was the poorest among them. The villagers responded that they were all equally rich or poor, with no significant disparities. Later, another expedition led by the same mountaineer visited the same village, which now had access to television. When asked the same question, the villagers replied that they were all poor, having compared themselves to the rest of the world.

In economics, individuals with incomes below half the country’s average per capita net income are often considered poor. Based on this definition, recent UN reports indicate that 1.2 billion people worldwide live on less than a dollar a day.

4. Affirmative Action

What is meant by affirmative action? Is it morally positive?

Affirmative action is a strategy to combat negative discrimination by giving preference to individuals from historically marginalized groups. For example, designated parking spaces for people with disabilities make it easier for them to access public areas. Affirmative action, or compensatory preference, is morally positive when implemented proportionally. It aims to level the playing field without creating reverse discrimination. The goal is to ensure that individuals from marginalized groups have equal opportunities, not to grant them undue advantages.

For instance, if a job opening attracts applications from a non-disabled person and a disabled person who score 6 and 8 respectively on a test, it would be unfair to select the disabled person solely based on their disability status. However, if they score 9 and 8 respectively, it would be just to choose the disabled person, as they are equally or more qualified.

5. Generalizations and Responsibility

Is it reasonable to generalize? If a member of a marginalized group has done wrong, does that mean that all members of this group do wrong?

No, it is not reasonable to generalize. Individuals should be judged based on their actions, not on the actions of others within their group. Each person thinks and acts independently, and responsibility lies with those who commit wrongdoing, not with their family or community members unless they are also involved in the act. It’s inaccurate to assume that all members of a group are guilty based on the actions of a few. For example, if 80% of Roma individuals are involved in criminal activities, labeling all Roma as delinquents unfairly categorizes the remaining 20% who are not involved in such activities. Furthermore, societal marginalization and poverty often contribute to the criminal behavior of some individuals within marginalized groups.

6. Discrimination Based on Race or Weight

Is it fair to discriminate against people of other races or fat people?

What fundamental differences exist between a Roma individual, an Arab individual, and a Spanish individual? All humans share the same basic physical characteristics. We are all equal, so it is inherently unfair to discriminate against others based on their race or origin. Similarly, there is nothing inherently wrong with being overweight or belonging to a particular ethnic group. It is unjust to judge individuals based on factors like race or weight because these are often beyond their control. People do not choose their race or their predisposition to weight gain, and therefore, they should not be held responsible for these characteristics.

7. Defining Aporofobia, Racism, Sexism, and Heterosexism

1. Aporofobia (Aversion to the Poor): A common form of discrimination in our society is economic. Immigrants, black individuals, or elderly people are often not marginalized if they are wealthy. The poor are frequently the primary targets of marginalization. For example, a black migrant arriving in a new country might face discrimination and struggle to find work. However, if that same migrant demonstrates exceptional talent in a field like soccer and achieves success, their social status can change dramatically. They may go from being marginalized to being celebrated, highlighting the role of economic status in social acceptance.
2. Racism: Discrimination based on race often stems from the false belief in the superiority of the white race. Proponents of racist ideologies have historically used pseudoscientific arguments to justify discrimination, leading to atrocities like genocide, slavery, and apartheid.
3. Sexism: Sexism is rooted in the belief in male superiority over women, leading to various forms of discrimination against women.
4. Heterosexism: Heterosexism is the belief in the superiority of heterosexual individuals over homosexual individuals. Homosexuality is a natural sexual orientation and should not be viewed as a disease or associated with harmful behaviors.

8. The Causes of War

Wars are driven by a combination of factors:

1. Psychological Factors: Individual ambition, the desire for power and profit, the pursuit of leadership, and the desire for revenge can all contribute to conflict.
2. Political Factors: Invasion, oppression, and power imbalances between nations, such as the Cold War, are significant political causes of war.
3. Economic Factors: Unequal distribution of wealth and resources, as well as extreme inequality between countries and social groups, can fuel conflict.
4. Ideological Factors: Beliefs like racism, nationalism, and religious fundamentalism can be used to justify and mask underlying political, economic, or psychological motives for war.

9. Terrorism

Terrorism, alongside war and revolution, is one of the most extreme and disturbing forms of political violence. It involves the systematic and unlawful use of violence to achieve political goals. Terrorism can be characterized by the following features:

1. Organized Violence: Terrorism is a form of organized crime that employs violence strategically to create a climate of fear and insecurity, ultimately aiming to impose political objectives.
2. Targeting of Innocents: Terrorists often target innocent civilians to maximize fear and disruption. Attacks like bombings in public spaces aim to create widespread panic and undermine public trust.
3. Revolutionary Rhetoric: Terrorist violence is often justified through a”revolutionary rhetori” that portrays perpetrators as”soldiers of the peopl” or”heroe” fighting for a just cause. This rhetoric can mask the criminal nature of their actions.
4. State Terrorism: Some dictatorial regimes have employed terrorism to maintain control and suppress dissent. This”state terroris” is a gross violation of human rights and the rule of law.

Terrorism is morally reprehensible not only because it involves criminal acts but also because it erodes trust in institutions and undermines democratic processes.

10. Political Realism

War is often presented as an inevitable aspect of human history, with peace defined merely as the absence of war. Political realism is a theoretical perspective that views war as unavoidable and focuses on national interests rather than moral considerations. According to this view, states should prioritize their own interests and use force when necessary to achieve their goals. This perspective often leads to an arms race and a belief that”if you want peace, prepare for war”

11. Structural Violence

What is called structural violence?

Structural violence occurs when, even in the absence of open warfare, individuals are denied basic rights. It manifests as social injustice and inequality, preventing individuals and groups from meeting their fundamental needs. In this context, violence is synonymous with social injustice, and peace is understood as the active presence of justice and equality.

12. Conditions for a Just and Lasting Peace

Several conditions can help assess whether a situation is conducive to a just and lasting peace:

1. Democratic Governance: Peace within and between states requires democratic institutions that allow for peaceful conflict resolution, expression of diverse opinions, and participation in decision-making.
2. Federation of Free States: A supranational body, like a democratically structured United Nations, can play a crucial role in monitoring compliance with peace agreements and upholding international law.
3. Equal Opportunities for Social Development: Ensuring equal access to economic opportunities, trade, and social development is essential for achieving positive peace. This requires a global framework that promotes socially and environmentally responsible economic development for all states.