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Social justice is a core concept in political theory, focusing on the principles that ensure fairness, equality, and the protection of rights in society. In NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4: Political Theory: Social Justice, students explore the meaning, dimensions, and challenges of achieving social justice, particularly in addressing inequalities and promoting dignity for all. These solutions to the chapter’s exercises are designed to clarify complex ideas, provide concise explanations, and help students build a strong understanding of social justice in the context of political theory.
Explore Notes of Class 11 Political Theory
Exercises for Political Theory: Social Justice
Check out the NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Political Theory: Social Justice Solutions below-
1. What does it mean to give each person his/her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?
Solution:
Giving each person his/her due means ensuring fairness by providing individuals with what they are entitled to as human beings, such as rights, opportunities, and dignity. Historically, this concept was tied to maintaining social order based on dharma or moral duty, as seen in ancient Indian or Confucian thought, where justice meant rewarding the virtuous and punishing wrongdoers. Over time, the meaning evolved to focus on human dignity and equality.
For example, Immanuel Kant argued that each person’s due includes the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue goals, emphasizing universal human worth. Today, it encompasses ensuring basic needs, equal rights, and addressing systemic inequalities, as seen in policies like India’s reservation system.
2. Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.
Solution:
The chapter outlines three principles of justice:
a. Equal Treatment for Equals: This principle ensures that individuals with similar characteristics as human beings receive equal rights and opportunities. For example, all citizens in India have the right to vote, regardless of caste or gender, ensuring political equality.
b. Proportionate Justice: This involves rewarding individuals based on the scale and quality of their efforts or contributions. For instance, a surgeon earns more than a clerk due to the specialized skills and responsibility required, balancing fairness with merit.
c. Recognition of Special Needs: This principle supports special treatment for those with unique disadvantages, such as disabilities or social marginalization. For example, India’s Constitution provides reservations in education and jobs for Scheduled Castes and Tribes to address historical injustices.
3. Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?
Solution:
The principle of considering special needs does not necessarily conflict with equal treatment. Equal treatment means treating people as equals, not identically, and sometimes requires differential support to achieve fairness. For instance, providing ramps for differently-abled individuals ensures equal access to public spaces, complementing the principle of equal treatment. In India, reservations for marginalized groups address systemic inequalities, promoting justice without violating equality. Both principles work together to create a just society by ensuring fairness while accounting for disadvantages.
4. How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds?
Solution:
John Rawls’ “veil of ignorance” is a thought experiment where individuals decide on societal rules without knowing their own position, abilities, or status in society. This ensures impartiality, as decision-makers prioritize fairness for all, especially the least advantaged, to avoid personal bias. Rawls argues that under this veil, people would rationally choose principles ensuring basic rights and opportunities for everyone, with inequalities only allowed if they benefit the most disadvantaged.
For example, they might support policies like free education to uplift the poor, ensuring a just distribution of resources. This rational approach defends fair distribution as a universal principle.
5. 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 for all?
Solution:
The basic minimum requirements for a healthy and productive life include access to food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, education, and security. These essentials enable individuals to live with dignity and pursue opportunities. Governments are responsible for ensuring these through policies like India’s Public Distribution System for subsidized food or the Right to Education Act for free schooling. Democratic governments must also promote equal opportunities and protect against discrimination, ensuring social justice by meeting these basic needs for all citizens.
6. Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens?
(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.
(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.
(c) Some people are naturally lazy and we should be kind to them.
(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.
Solution:
The arguments that justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions are:
(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.
(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.
Explanation:
- (b) is valid because ensuring basic conditions, like education or healthcare, enables equal opportunities, as seen in India’s free school meal programs that support children’s learning.
- (d) is valid because providing basic facilities reflects the principle of human dignity and rights, aligning with social justice, as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- (a) is less appropriate, as charity implies voluntary aid, not a state’s obligation to ensure justice.
- (c) is invalid, as assuming laziness is not a rational basis for state policy and undermines fairness.
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