SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS (CHAPTER SEVEN)

Chapter 7

ECONOMIC THEORIES OF

SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

(ParaphrasticReading)

 

This chapter as the title states is about economic justice. Economic justice is an element of social justice, it “focuses on individual and groups, as well as the social order, the moral principles which guide people in a given society in designing their economic institutions” (p131). Economic justice is composed of three principles, these include: The Principle of Participation, The Principle of Distribution, and The Principle of Harmony. Next the chapter discusses capitalism, which “is an economic system characterized by the private ownership of the means of production, from which personal profits can be derived through market competition and without government intervention” (p132). There are various principles of capitalism enumerated, these include: Laissez-faire principle, Individual Rights principle, Limited Government principle, Private Property principle, Competition principle, Voluntary Exchange principle, Consumer Sovereignty principle, Consumer Sovereignty, and last but not least Profit Motive principle. Capitalism also has it flaws, it fails to reward desert, and it promotes inequality. Reactions to capitalism lead to socialism, which “is defined as an economic system characterized by public ownership of the means of production, the pursuit of collective goals, and centralized decision making. The government is ascribed to many roles, some of which include: distributing of shared goods and health services among society, and to prevent any revolt within the country. The key goal of socialism is to remove economic inequality and injustice completely. However, socialism also has its flaws, it “limits the prosperity of its citizens” and it’s “faulted for shifting to extreme government control and dictatorship” (p138). Finally, the chapter wraps it up with the discussion of welfare state. “The welfare state aims to ensure a minimal state of well-being for citizens by placing some limits on rewards through taxation” (p138).  

 

Segment to Paraphrase:

 The goal for the welfare state is to guarantee the health and security of their citizens by having restraints on profits through taxes. These taxes raise money provide social services for the poor to reduce economic inequality. The welfare state is also known as Welfare Capitalism. Welfare state is only used for facade. However, welfare state bends toward the capitalist side, which supports unemployment, and inequality.

 The segment that I have chosen above is vital to this chapter. It demonstrates that our very own government (which is also capitalist) promotes inequalities. This view point enlightening, a country that I have always believed to serve justice contains such perspectives.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS (CHAPTER 3)

 

Chapter 3

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION

OF INEQUALITY AND DIFFERENCE

(Paraphrastic)

 

This chapter is about social construction of inequality and difference. It basically discusses the different types of inequalities, and how these inequalities are sustained and strengthened in society, and how they are constructed (p31). The chapter begins with the discussion of social construction of race. An example of this includes: the concept of hypo-descent, or also known as the one drop rule, which is a “rule that automatically assigns the children of mixed union or mating between members of different socioeconomic groups in the less privileged group” (p31). “Privilege is defined as an interlocking system of advantage often outside of consciousness” (p32). There are two types of privileges: unearned advantage, and conferred dominance. Then the chapter goes into talking about a term created by Johan Galtung known as structural violence, which “[means] the systematic ways in which a regime prevents individuals from achieving their full potential. It occurs whenever people are disadvantaged by political, legal, economic, or cultural traditions” (p34).  Next the text discusses the social construction of difference also described as otherizing, which “is the process of promoting inequalities or unequal access to resources and opportunities” (p35).  Example of this is: how minority women and men are described as people who are undeserving of equal treatment because of their claimed inferiority (p35).  The construction of difference leads to oppression, which is contrary to privilege. There are 3 forms of oppression: institutionalized oppression, interpersonal oppression, and internalized oppression. Furthermore, according to Kallen (2008) the method of invalidation accomplishes social construction of difference. Invalidation is the key to inequality and social injustice (p37). It has three vital steps, first being the labeling of particular populations as invalid, second categorical discrimination against the invalidated, and the last being the process of self-fulfilling prophecy of invalidation, in which the disadvantaged populations start to believe in their claimed inferiority (p40). Finally, the chapter delves into exploring the difference and the connection between the concepts of stereotyping and prejudice. Prejudice and stereotypes are negative universal schemes, giving us a better understanding of erratic reality.

Segment to Paraphrase:

Mixed marriages have always been a part of the United States. Though, ‘multiracial’ identity was not existent to the government of theUnited Statesuntil 2000.  Rather, hypo-descent was applied to assign children of a blended union to the less privileged category. This was also referred to as the one drop rule; this concept proposes the idea that the smallest amount of black blood automatically refers you as a black person. For example, if your great, great grandparent was not white or black but your entire ancestry was white, this person would still be seen as black.

The segment that I have chosen above virtually sums up the entire theme of this chapter, which is about how minority groups face inequality and social injustice for no rational reason.

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS (CHAPTER TWO)

Chapter 2

SOCIAL REALITY CONSTRUCTION

AND GLOBAL SOCIAL JUSTICE

Charles Quist-Adade

 

(Paraphrastic Reading)

This chapter is about the social construction of reality, referred to as social constructionism, which is based on the belief “that there is nothing natural or normal about the world we inhabit” (p19). Instead, we ourselves build meaning of our everyday experiences in the social world. Due to the differences of “time” and geographical locations we tend to look at things in different perspectives. Another aspect of the social construction of reality is that there is no right or wrong way of interpreting social phenomena; people simply have different view points on the social occurrences. For example, when the death of Osama bin Laden was announced people carried different outlooks on the action. Some viewed it as murder, or assassination, and others such as the Americans viewed it as a celebration. This chapter then goes on talking about critical constructivist perspective, which is based on the assumption “that while human reality is collectively constructed by all members of collectives, what becomes acceptable reality must first be sanctioned, sanctified, and legitimized by the power or ruling elite” (p23). Critical constructivists concentrate on the power elite who believe street crimes are very dangerous, while they ignore corporate crimes. The power elite redirect the attention of the public from corporate crime to street crime. They do this through Antonio Gramsci’s concept, referred to as hegemony. Hegemony allows the power elite to “win consent [which is done without force] so that the power of the dominant classes appears both legitimate and natural” (p25). This is not to say that the oppressed don’t combat, because they do through the process of counter-hegemony. Later, this chapter goes into talking about Social Justice, which promotes “ideas, norms, and practices designed to create an egalitarian society” (p26). Then, social justice is expanded into the international realm, known as Global Social Justice. Whether it is justice in a local context or a global they both are inseparably connected.  The next concept this chapter discusses is sociological imagination perspective, which depicts that the forces of history and biography have plotted to rule the lives of all the people of “our global village” (p27).  This concept aspires us to believe that all “nations of the world need one another” (p28) in order to fulfill the needs of their nation to function. 

 

Segment to Paraphrase:

People from different places in the world take on different meanings of the same message, due to the difference of religion, gender, class and backgrounds.  A specific example would be: the concept of time, which in thevillageofTeawiah(Eastern Ghana) read differently than we do.  They “either look at the sky or think about the crowning of the rooster” (2012, p19) in order to tell time.  Whereas, people here would either look at their wrist watches, or at the clock on the wall.

 This five-sentence segment that I have paraphrased above basically sums up the entire chapter, hence the reason I chose it. It depicts the different yet thought-provoking perspectives of all the inhabitants of our global village. I believe it’s the most vital segment in the chapter, because it allows us to recognize the different realities and meanings for different nations.

COOLEST CONCEPT #3

The coolest concept discussed in last weeks class was Cooley’s concept of the look-glass self. This concept believes that; what we think of ourselves depends on what we perceive others think of us. For example, “I feel about me the way you think of me,” so if someone thinks you’re intelligent your actions tend to reassure that. We allow others to shape our self through their judgments. Some examples of this in my own life include: the fact that sometimes people call me a nerd, and that judgment affects my self-image, because it makes me behave in a certain way that makes that judgment true (such as study all day long). Another example is when people tell me I’m really tall. This judgment has resulted in me avoiding heels. All I wear now are flat bottom shoes, because I don’t want to be really tall, I take it as a negative.

COOLEST CONCEPT #2

The coolest concept covered in last weeks class was the Thomas Theorem. This theorem basically states that; what is defined as real is real in its consequences. So if people define situations as real they become real in their actions. For instance, when someone keeps calling you dumb you eventually surrender and believe it. If someone calls you smart you tend to act in a manner that encourages that statement. For example, some people tend to call me a nerd, and that encourages me to act in a way that proves that.

Coolest Concept #1

My chosen concept is to do a little with sociological perspective and ethnocentrism, and more to do so with the discrimination different “statuses” face in our society. Such as “heterosexuals” vs. “homosexuals.”  This concept is reflected in a recent event, which took place early morning on January 12^th 2012. It’s been over six years since same-sex marriages were announced legal here inCanada. Since then thousands of couples all over the world have been coming toCanada especially to get married. However, abruptly according to Justice Apartment Lawyers the homosexual couples who came toCanada to get married are in reality not legally married. “Advocates of same-sex marriage worry the government is using the case to chip away at their rights,” stated Laurie Graham from CBC News.  It is quite apparent homosexuals are not treated in the same manner as heterosexuals, and that’s utterly disgusting. This concept was the most thought-provoking for me. It gave me a better glimpse of the issues homosexuals have to deal with, and how our society depending on their perspectives on gay rights, makes it so difficult for same-sex couples to live a normal life. This concept also has a lot to do with ethnocentrism, because discrimination comes about due to people believing their religion or type of people are superior to others. Hence, people discriminating against other unique groups of people like the homosexuals.

ISSUES IN SOCIAL JUSTICE (Chapter Ten)

Chapter Ten

TERRORISM

 Charles Quist-Adade, David Barry and Meghan Kenney

 

Dialectic Reading

 

What question did the text/chapter raise?	What types of terrorism are there?
How did the text answer this question?	This text described five types of terrorism: mass terror, dynastic assassination, random terror, focused random terror, and tactical terror. Mass terror refers to state terrorism, which is implemented by governments to maintain social order. Dynastic assassination targets political leaders and elite with acts violence to challenge their legitimacy. Random terror is a violent act directed at public places (such as shootings in airports and bombings in post offices) to bring attention to a problem. Focused random terror is directed toward “specific agents” (2009, p251) to bring a message to awareness. Last but not least: tactical terror has a larger plan or purpose to rule the government.
How does the answer match your own ideas and experiences?	This chapter enlightened me to the various types of terrorism, which I was completely unaware of. I never thought that terrorism would be such a complex method. However, now that I know all the different kinds of terrorism, I will be able to identify them when I read or watch the news.

 

ISSUES IN SOCIAL JUSTICE (Chapter Two)

 

Chapter Two

DISCRIMINATION FACED BY LGBT COMMUNITY

 

Carrie Buist and Andrew Verheek

 

Dialectic Reading

 

 

What question did the text/chapter raise?	What types of discrimination does the LGBT community face?
How did the text answer the question?	The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community faces numerous types of discrimination in various aspects of their daily lives. Some of which include; hate crimes, marriage rights, employment, and housing discrimination. Many states inAmericado not have any hate crime protection for the LGBT community. This community is a “target group for both physical and emotional violence based solely on their sexual orientation” (2009, p34). Furthermore, only five states in theUSrecognize same-sex marriage; those being Massachusetts,Vermont,Connecticut,MaineandIowa. The LGBT community also faces discrimination when it comes to hiring, firing, and/or promotion situations. They are also discriminated against when trying to purchase a house or rent an apartment.
How does the answer match your own ideas and experiences?	The idea that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community are discriminated against is very unnecessary. It’s hurtful to see that this community faces discrimination in so many areas of their everyday life. I believe each person has the right to choose his or her sexuality without being discriminated against.

ISSUES IN SOCIAL JUSTICE (Chapter One)

Chapter One

RELIGION AND HOMOSEXUALITY

 Frank Tridico, Jacob Armstrong and David Barry

 

Dialectic Reading

 

What question did the text/chapter raise?	Do all Christians scorn upon the idea of homosexuality?
How did the text answer the question?	The “bible clearly states that homosexuality is sinful and that God intended intimate relationships to be monogamous relationships between men and women” (2009, p11). Thus, Christian denominations have supported and legalized heterosexuality, whereas they frown upon homosexuality and see it as “sinful, immoral and worthy of condemnation” (2009, p12). However, the source illustrated two Christian ministries which are not completely against the idea of homosexuality. The first ministry being the gay-affirming ministry. They believe “that homosexuality is not contrary to Christian doctrine; that God makes and loves homosexuals just as he loves heterosexuals, and therefore homosexuality is not an abomination but acceptable in the sight of God” (2009, p14). The second being the ex-gay ministry. They believe that the “sin of homosexuality is not viewed as being any worse than other types of sin” (2009, p14). Therefore, instead of avoiding homosexuals, the ex-gay ministry concentrates on helping gays over come homosexual desires, so that “they can develop a heterosexual identity that is in line with God’s will” (2009, p14).
How does the answer match your own ideas and experiences?	The idea that homosexuals are frowned upon by religions (in this text Christianity) is quite repulsive. Why do people find it necessary to judge someone based on their sexual preferences? I believe each and every person has the right to choose their sexuality without being discriminated against.

 

GLOBAL SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

Global Sociological Imagination is a notion that our actions and inactions can have ramifications not only to our immediate terrain, Canada, but also to people on the other side of the world. Theses consequences may be positive or negative ones, they make shape your life or sabotage your life. My life was most definitely shaped by countries like China and The Philippines. You may be wondering why or how? Well, I’m quite the picky dresser. The one who probably takes hours when out to shop, just to come to the finding that I have yet no articles of clothing in my hands. However, when gone to this one store called “Aritzia” I tend to fall in love with all their pieces. And theses pieces are usually made in third world countries, such as China or The Philippines.  Thus, when I buy these pieces I am being impacted by the actions of the country China or The Philippines. 

 My life has not only been shaped by the actions of some countries but, also by the inactions. India for instance, has impacted my life in an enormous way. India being a place with not many opportunities convinced my parents to immigrate to Canada. A highly developed country, with an excellent education and health care system, and also financially with a better and brighter future.  Hence, having been born in Canada has provided me with many more opportunities I would ever have in India just at birth alone.

 Global Sociological Imagination is also a notion that our own actions and inactions too; have consequences to other parts of the world.  I for one believe I have not impacted people around the world, however it would be safe to say that I have helped or impacted some peoples lives here in Canada. Some ways I have impacted some lives include: donating my old clothes to the Big Brother Donation, who take the clothes to resell at ValueVillage to low income families. Another way I believe I impacted some people of our society is by going berry picking with my grandparents one summer. Theses berries are sold at various markets for people in our community to buy. I haven’t done anything that I feel has helped people on the other side of the world, however I am still young and I can change that.