Social Justice, Equity And Feminism In Planning

Social Justice, Equity And Feminism In Planning

• 1.
  Social Justice, Equityand Feminism in Planning 1. How do these concepts/values inform planning? 2. What is planning? 3. What do planners do? 4. How do planning roles address the 3 values?
• 2.
  Social justice: Conceptualorigins 1. The term "social justice" was coined by the Jesuit Luigi Taparelli in the 1840s , based on the teachings of Thomas Aquinas . 2. Taparelli argued that the rival economic theories (capitalism, socialism, communism) undermined the unity of society 3. Cooperation and not class conflict and competition is key to the unity and welfare of society.
• 3.
  Essence of SocialJustice (Herbert G. Wells 1866-1946) "Every man is a joint inheritor of all the natural resources and of the powers, inventions and possibilities accumulated by our forerunners. He is entitled, within the measure of these resources and without distinction of race, colour or professed beliefs or opinions, to the nourishment, covering and medical care needed to realise his full possibilities of physical and mental development from birth to death. Notwithstanding the various and unequal qualities of individuals, all men shall be deemed absolutely equal in the eyes of the law, equally important in social life and equally entitled to the respect of their fellow-men." (Later used as basis for UN Declaration on Human Rights)
• 4.
  Two key ideologicalviews of social justice Liberal view Present day society is highly unjust. There is need for a more extensive use of democracy and income redistribution , a more egalitarian society and either a mixed economy or a non-market- based economic model. Conservative view Generally believes that social justice is best achieved through embracing meritocracy , the operation of a free market , and the promotion of philanthropy and charity .
• 5.
  Confluence of Leftand Right on Social Justice Both left and right wings tend to agree on the importance of: Rule of law Human rights Some form of a welfare safety net
• 6.
  John Rawls (1921-2002) on Social Justice Rawls’ first statement of principle was made in A Theory of Justice (1971:3). "Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override. For this reason justice denies that the loss of freedom for some is made right by a greater good shared by others."
• 7.
  Rawls’ argument onsocial justice All societies have a basic structure of social, economic, and political institutions, both formal and informal. In testing how well these elements fit and work together, Rawls based a key test of legitimacy on the theories of social contract . To determine whether any particular system of collectively enforced social arrangements is legitimate , he argued that one must look for agreement by the people who are subject to it.
• 8.
  Rawls’ basic liberties1. F reedom of thought. 2. Liberty of conscience as it affects social relationships on the grounds of religion, philosophy, and morality. 3. Political liberties (e.g. representative democratic institutions, freedom of speech and the press, and freedom of assembly).
• 9.
  Rawls’ basic liberties4. Freedom of association. 5. Freedoms necessary for the liberty and integrity of the person (mainly: freedom from slavery, freedom of movement and a reasonable degree of freedom to choose one's occupation). 6. Rights and liberties covered by the rule of law.
• 10.
  Concept of EquityTechnically, EQUITY refer to the set of legal principles, which supplement strict rules of law where their application would operate harshly, so as to achieve what is sometimes referred to as "natural justice." (This view applies more in countries following the English common law tradition).
• 11.
  Equity and Law1. In modern practice, the most important distinction between law and equity is the set of remedies each offers. 2. The most common remedy a court of law can award is money damages. Equity, however, enters injunctions or decrees directing someone either to act or to forbear from acting.
• 12.
  Equity and Law3. T he unavailability of a jury in equity. Equitable remedies can be dispensed only by a judge as it is a matter of law and not subject to the intervention of the jury as trier of fact . 4. The source of the rules governing the decisions. In law, decisions are made by reference to legal doctrines or statutes . In contrast, equity, with its emphasis on fairness and flexibility, has only general guides known as the maxims of equity .
• 13.
  The Core ofthe Feminist Debate Hayden, 2003:377 alluded to Laura Balbo (1981), who observed that: “ Not only do homemakers make the bridge between commercial services, government bureaucracies, and the family, they are also low-paid providers of service performing heroic feats of overtime in the commercial or state sectors.”
• 14.
  Views of women’sroles Woman in combat Women in the security force
• 15.
  Core issues inthe feminist debate Historical, traditional or cultural definitions of the roles of women (universal vs. contextual views). Distorted, biased and/or misinformed views of the roles of women. Suppression of the rights and views of women. Unequal treatment (in language, at work, in the provision of amenities, etc.). Devaluation of the roles of women.
• 16.
  Views of women’sroles Women as sources of income Women as sources of power
• 17.
  Causes of injusticeand inequity Competition for resources (power, money, position, land, opportunities, etc.) Ignorance Fear Self-doubt/insecurity/complex Conflict of interests Attitude ( envy, distrust, greed, selfishness, sheer wickedness, vengeance, etc. )
• 18.
  Class Discussions Whatis planning? How do the referenced values/goals factor into or inform planning? What do planners do? How can planners, through their roles, address the three referenced values/goals?
• 19.
  Key planning rolesPlanners as advisors to the public (policy makers, entrepreneurs, non-profits and grassroots). Planners as advocates, custodians and lobbyists of and for the public interest. Planners as technicians (research, design/plan, enforce regulations, etc.). Planners as visionaries (development guidance)