CHAPTER 4: Social Justice NCERT SOLUTION CLASS 11TH Political Science | EDUGROWN NOTES

Short Answer type Question:

Q1. What does it mean to give each person his/her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?

Answer

Giving each person his/her due means that providing justice by ensuring the well-being of the people.
The meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time, In today’s world, it means understanding of what is due to each person as a human being. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that if all persons are granted dignity then what is due to each of them is the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue their chosen goals.

Q2. Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter? Explain each with examples.

Answer

Three principles of justice with examples are:

• Equal Treatment for Equals: It is the principle of treating equals equally as all individuals share certain characteristics as human beings. Therefore, they deserve equal rights and equal treatment. It includes civil rights like right to life, liberty and property, political rights like right to vote and social rights related to equal social opportunities. The people should not be discriminated against on grounds of class, caste, race or gender. They should be judged on the basis of their work and actions.
For example: if two persons from different castes perform the same kind of work, whether it be breaking stones or delivering Pizzas, they should receive the same kind of reward.
• Proportionate Justice: It is the principle of rewarding people in proportion to the scale and quality of their effort. It would be fair and just to reward different kinds of work differently if we take into account factors such as the effort required, the skills required, the possible dangers involved in that work, and so on. The principle of equal treatment needs to be balanced with the principle of proportionality. For example: The reward and compensation of police officer and clerk should be different according to skill and dangers involved.
• Recognition of Special Needs: This principle is for a society to take into account special needs of people while distributing rewards or duties. This is a way of promoting social justice. Physical disabilities, age or lack of access to good education or health care, are some of the factors which are considered grounds for special treatment in many countries. For example: The reservations of government jobs for people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Q3. Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?

Answer

No, the principle of considering the special needs of people does not conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all because the principle of treating equals equally could imply that people who are not equal in certain important respects could be treated differently. People with special needs or disabilities could be considered unequal in some particular respect thus special treatment require for integration with society.

Q4. How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds?

Answer
Under idea of a veil of ignorance, only way we a person arrive at a fair and just rule is if he/she imagine themselves to be in a situation in which he/she have to make decisions about how society should be organised. There is complete ignorance about their possible position and status in society therefore he/she would rationally decide from the point of view of the worst-off. It would be sensible in this situation for everyone to ensure that all resources are available equally to all persons. Thus, Rawls, with his idea of ‘veil of ignorance’, is able to prove that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds.

Q5. What are generally considered to be the basic minimum requirements of people for living a healthy and productive life? What is the responsibility of governments in trying to ensure this minimum to all?
Answer
Housing, supply of clean water, basic amount of nourishment to remain healthy, education and minimum wage are the basic minimum requirements of people for living a healthy and productive life.The responsibility of governments in trying to ensure this minimum to all are:• Government should encourage private agencies to provide services such as health care, education etc. and make policies that should try to empower people to buy those services. It might also be necessary for the government to give special help to the old and the sick who cannot compete. It should make availability of good quality goods and services at a cost people can afford.• Government should maintain a framework of laws and regulations to ensure that competition between individuals remains free of coercion and other obstacles in market.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Q1.What are the different kinds of concepts of justice?
Answer:
Justice refers to faithful realization of existing laws against any arbitrary dealing and the ideal element in law to which a good law should aspire for. Justice can be classified as:
1. Social justice:

• No discrimination should be made among the citizens of country on the ground of religion, colour, caste, race, language, etc.
• Equal opportunities should be provided to one and all for one’s own development,
• An equality based society should be established.

2. Political justice:

• To exercise political power to serve the interests of all
• Every citizen should enjoy their right to vote without any discrimination.
• Every person should have the right to contest elections at par.
• Every citizen should have an opportunity to put pressure on government.

3. Economic justice:

• It refers to provide equal opportunities to one and all to earn money and to spend to meet the needs of life.
• National income and resources should be evenly distributed among all the people.
• Economic welfare of weaker section should be looked after.

4. Moral justice:

• Natural principles exist in the universe.
• To determine mutual relations among individuals.
• Speaking the truth, showing kindness, keeping the promises, behaving liberally, etc.

5. Legal justice:

• To frame genuine legislation to be enforced by law.
• Equal provisions of punishments should also be made without any partiality.
• State established justice by means of law.

Q2.Mention the steps taken by Constitution of India to ensure social justice.
Answer:
This is the duty of state to establish a society based on equality through executives and legislatives:

• Article 39 A (42nd Amendment) provides that state shall try to secure equal justice and free legal aid to its citizens.
• Article 42 states that the state shall make provisions to secure just and human conditions.
• Article 46 provides that the state shall promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections of society especially for SC’s, ST’s and to protect them from social injustice.
• Article 46 says that the state shall within the limits of its economic capacity make provisions for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in areas of unemployment, old age and sickness, etc.

Q3.What measurements have been taken by India to secure social justice?
Answer:

• The preamble to the constitution of India declares its objectives to ensure social, economic and political justice.
• Since independence, various programmes have been set up to eradicate poverty in India.
• The Antyodaya Schemes have been launched for the upliftment of the poorest.
• The government has launched five year plans and many other programmes also for downtrodden people.
• To improve special status of SCs and STs, government has made provisions for their reservations in educational institutes and government jobs.
• The government of India assures right also to poor and and downtrodden people in education, age, sickness or any other disablement.