The United Nations World Day of Social Justice (20 February) reminds us of the global challenges that we are facing, the need to build fairer and more equitable societies, to reflect on what we have achieved globally and to identify priorities for action. Professor Jonathan Glazzard, Rosalind Hollis Professor of Education for Social Justice at the University of Hull, highlights the work in progress at the University and the need for us all to work towards a more socially just society.
John Rawls proposed the concept of 'justice as fairness' in the late 20th century. Rawls, one of the most influential political philosophers of the 20th century, emphasised the importance of the fair distribution of goods to ensure maximum benefit for the least advantaged members of society. The term has since evolved to mean different things to various people with different vested interests. Although the term is relatively contemporary, the philosophy underpinning social justice can be identified in the writings of Kant, Descartes and Locke as well as other great philosophers.
The origins of social justice for women can perhaps be traced back to the Feminist movement which originated in 18th century Europe, and the suffrage movement which started in the 1800s. In education, the 1944 Education Act ensured free compulsory full-time education for children aged five to 15. In health, the concept of a National Health Service, free at the point of delivery from cradle to grave, can arguably be traced back to the National Insurance system that was introduced by David Lloyd George in 1911.
Global inequalities
Despite these significant advances in social justice, it might be argued that Rawls’ principle of fair distribution of goods has not yet come to fruition. Globally there is unequal access to healthcare, housing, employment, and education. Across the world, we are witnessing rising mental ill-health issues. There are widespread inequalities, exclusion, and discrimination in relation to race, gender, disability and sexual orientation within and across societies. There are barriers to full participation in the global economy for developing countries. In the UK and elsewhere, rising food inflation, energy costs, unemployment and access to housing are resulting in absolute poverty for some sections of society. In the UK increasing house prices, precarious employment and the cost of university education are significant challenges facing young people today. Climate change is also a major and urgent challenge for all countries.
Although academic debates about social justice continue to circulate, it is perhaps more important to consider what organisations are doing to advance fairness, rights, equity, care and peace and to tackle the current injustices that we are facing globally. The United Nations World Day of Social Justice on 20 February reminds us of the global challenges that we are facing, the need to build fairer and more equitable societies, to reflect on what we have achieved globally and to identify priorities for action.