{"id":55413,"date":"2023-11-21T15:53:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T10:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=ncert-books&p=55413"},"modified":"2024-09-25T15:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T09:42:37","slug":"balancing-social-equality-justice-governance-environmental-accountability","status":"publish","type":"ncert-notes","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/balancing-social-equality-justice-governance-environmental-accountability","title":{"rendered":"Balancing Social Equality: Exploring Justice, Governance, and Environmental Accountability"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction: An Overview<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Social justice is a concept rooted in <\/span>fairness and equity, <\/b>aiming to ensure that all individuals in a society have equal <\/span>access to opportunities, resources, and rights.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Striving for a Just Society: The Path to Social Equality<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Pursuing social justice entails <\/span>confronting deep inequities in money and power<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ensures Equality<\/b>: A just society does not seek full equality but rather ensures the <\/span>fundamental conditions <\/b>for living healthy, secure lives with equal chances.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Conditions for Social Equality: <\/b>Determining these conditions entails estimating basic necessities such as <\/span>nutrition, education, and housing.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Democratic Welfare Challenges: <\/b>While democratic governments have a <\/span>responsibility to provide basic necessities<\/b>, doing so can be difficult in nations like India with sizable<\/span> populations of the underprivileged.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Equality Strategies:<\/b> There is debate on the best way to provide equality for disadvantaged citizens.\u00a0<\/span>\n
      \n
    • Some argue for free market competition to<\/span> benefit the poor without affecting the wealthy<\/b>, whilst others feel that governments should provide a basic minimum for the poor, possibly through resource redistribution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      John Rawls\u2019 Theory of Social Equality and\u00a0 Justice<\/b><\/p>\n
        \n
      • According to John Rawls’ theory of justice, we can <\/span>attain fairness and justice in society<\/b> by<\/b> imagining ourselves behind<\/b> a “<\/span>veil of ignorance,<\/b>” unaware of our future position or advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Individuals in this scenario would make judgments based on<\/span> rational self-interest <\/b>while simultaneously considering the worst-case scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • This method <\/span>ensures both reasonable opportunities<\/b> for disadvantaged groups and societal advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • According to Rawls,<\/span> rational thought,<\/b> not only morality, motivates us to divide societal advantages and obligations properly<\/span>.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
      • This idea provides a<\/span> persuasive approach <\/b>to issues of fairness and justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        Market Vs. State: Navigating the Economic Dichotomy<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Aspect<\/b><\/td>\nFree Markets<\/b><\/td>\nState Intervention<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Principles<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Emphasizes individual freedom, property ownership, fair competition, and voluntary agreements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Recognizes the need for certain regulations to ensure fairness and a minimum standard of living.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Distribution of Benefits<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Believes unregulated markets can naturally distribute benefits and responsibilities justly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Advocates for state intervention to ensure equitable distribution, especially for the disadvantaged.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Modern Perspective<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Some support partial regulation, with private agencies providing services while the state empowers citizens.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Suggests that the state should establish a legal framework to maintain competition and fairness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Access to Services<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Offers consumers more choices but may not guarantee affordable access to essential goods and services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Aims to provide basic services to all citizens, bridging gaps in access and affordability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Quality of Services<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Private businesses often provide higher-quality services, but costs may exclude the economically disadvantaged.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Concerned with providing quality services that are accessible and affordable for everyone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Social Equality<\/b><\/td>\n\n
          \n
        • Tends to favour the wealthy and powerful, potentially widening social inequalities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
        		\n
          \n
        • Aims to ensure equal access to services and opportunities, reducing disparities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

          <\/h2>\n

          Legal Safeguards: Ensuring Social Equality in Markets<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
            \n
          • Legal Regulations: <\/b>In a market context, legal regulations play a vital role<\/span> in safeguarding various aspects of societal well-being and social justice.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Worker Rights: <\/b>The<\/span> problem of workers’ pay <\/b>is a major source of worry. Corporations and commercial organizations <\/span>frequently put profits over worker rights <\/b>and fair compensation. However, the law steps in and declares such actions illegal.\u00a0<\/span>\n
              \n
            • Example: The concept of minimum wage <\/b>ensures that workers are appropriately compensated and are safeguarded from underpayment. Regular modifications to minimum wages provide long-term economic justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Law Enforcement: <\/b>Enacting <\/span>laws alone is insufficient<\/b>; their enforcement is crucial, especially when vulnerable individuals require protection from more influential entities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Constitutional Backing:<\/b> In India,<\/span> the Constitution’s fundamental rights form the basis for these laws.\u00a0<\/span>\n
                \n
              • Example: <\/b>The <\/span>Right Against Exploitation <\/b>prevents people from being paid very little or working in harsh conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
              • The Constitution also says that \u201c<\/span>no child shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment” <\/b>until they are 14 years old.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
                \n

                Bhopal Gas Tragedy: The World’s Worst Industrial Disaster<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

                \n
                  \n
                • Tragedy:<\/b> The Bhopal Gas Tragedy happened in Bhopal, India, 38 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Company: <\/b>A company named <\/span>Union Carbide had a pesticide factory<\/b> there.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Methyl-Isocyanate:<\/b> On <\/span>December 2, 1984,<\/b> a dangerous gas called <\/span>methyl-isocyanate <\/b>leaked from the factory.<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Mass Killing: It hurt over <\/span>8,000 <\/b>people and killed them in three days.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Affected People: <\/b>Most of those exposed to the poison gas came from poor, working-class families, of which nearly 5<\/span>0,000 people<\/b> are today too sick to work.<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Denial of Responsibility: <\/b>Union Carbide didn’t take full responsibility even though they were at fault.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Settlement: <\/b>The government took them to court and asked for $3 billion but settled for much less $470 million in 1989.\u00a0<\/span>\n
                    \n
                  • People didn’t like this, but the court agreed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                  • Harmful Chemicals Left: <\/b>After the tragedy, <\/span>Union Carbide<\/b> stopped working but left behind harmful chemicals.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Sleepage: <\/b>These chemicals got into the ground and water, making things dirty.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Dow Chemical, <\/b>who owns the place now, hasn’t cleaned up the mess.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Accountability: <\/b>This disaster reminds us that companies must be careful, or people and the environment suffer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                    Legal Landscape: The Nexus of law and environment<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
                      \n
                    • Environmental Regulation: <\/b>India had <\/span>little environmental protection regulations up to 1984<\/b>, which allowed industries to pollute without restraint.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Ensure Liability: <\/b>Following the <\/span>Bhopal gas tragedy<\/b>, the<\/span> Indian government passed new environmental rules in response to demands from environmentalists.\u00a0<\/span>\n
                        \n
                      • Because the environment is a shared resource, these rules made polluters liable for environmental harm.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                      • Supreme Court Ruling:<\/b> In<\/span> Subhash Kumar vs. the State of Bihar (1991)<\/i><\/b>, the Supreme Court ruled that the Right to Life is a Fundamental Right under <\/span>Article 21 of the Constitution<\/b>, and it encompasses the right to clean water and air for full enjoyment of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Conclusion:<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
                          \n
                        • Disagreements over distribution and justice are both inevitable and productive in a <\/span>democratic society.\u00a0<\/b>\n
                            \n
                          • These disparities compel us to investigate many points of view and<\/span> logically advocate<\/b> for our own. Politics involves resolving such disagreements through reasoned dialogue.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                          • Various <\/span>social and economic inequities<\/b> persist in our country, necessitating ongoing attempts to address them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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