Social Justice, Equity and Feminism in Social Justice, Equity and Feminism in PlanningPlanning

1. How do these concepts/values inform planning?1. How do these concepts/values inform planning?2. What is planning?2. What is planning?3. What do planners do?3. What do planners do?4. How do planning roles address the 3 values?4. How do planning roles address the 3 values?

Social justice: Conceptual originsSocial justice: Conceptual origins

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 society3. Cooperation and not class conflict and competition is key to

the unity and welfare of society.

Essence of Social Justice Essence of Social Justice (Herbert G. Wells 1866-1946)(Herbert G. Wells 1866-1946)

"Every man is a joint inheritor of all the natural resources and of thepowers, inventions and possibilities accumulated by our forerunners. Heis entitled, within the measure of these resources and without distinctionof 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. Notwithstandingthe various and unequal qualities of individuals, all men shall bedeemed absolutely equal in the eyes of the law, equally important insocial life and equally entitled to the respect of their fellow-men."

(Later used as basis for UN Declaration on Human Rights)

Two key ideological views of social justiceTwo key ideological views of social justice

Liberal viewPresent day society is highlyunjust. There is need for a moreextensive use of democracy andincome redistribution, a moreegalitarian society and either a mixed economy or a non-market-based economic model.

Conservative viewGenerally believes that socialjustice is best achieved throughembracing meritocracy, theoperation of a free market, and thepromotion of philanthropy andcharity.

Confluence of Left and Right on Social JusticeConfluence of Left and Right on Social Justice

Both left and right wings tend to agree on theimportance of:a. Rule of lawb. Human rightsc. Some form of a welfare safety net

John Rawls John Rawls (1921-2002)(1921-2002) on Social Justice on Social Justice

Rawls’ first statement of principle was made in ATheory of Justice (1971:3)."Each person possesses an inviolability founded onjustice that even the welfare of society as a wholecannot override. For this reason justice denies that

theloss of freedom for some is made right by a greatergood shared by others."

Rawls’ argument on social justiceRawls’ argument on social justice

All societies have a basic structure of social, economic, and political institutions, both formal andinformal. In testing how well these elements fit andwork together, Rawls based a key test of legitimacy onthe theories of social contract. To determine whetherany particular system of collectively enforced socialarrangements is legitimate, he argued that one must look foragreement by the people who are subject to it.

Rawls’ basic libertiesRawls’ basic liberties

1. Freedom 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).

Rawls’ basic libertiesRawls’ basic liberties

4. 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.

Concept of EquityConcept of Equity

Technically, EQUITY refer to the set of legalprinciples, which supplement strict rules of law wheretheir application would operate harshly, so as toachieve what is sometimes referred to as "naturaljustice." (This view applies more in countries following the English

common law tradition).

Equity and LawEquity and Law

1. In modern practice, the most important distinctionbetween law and equity is the set of remedies eachoffers. 2. The most common remedy a court of law can

awardis money damages. Equity, however, entersinjunctions or decrees directing someone either to actor to forbear from acting.

Equity and LawEquity and Law

3. The 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.

The Core of the Feminist DebateThe Core of the Feminist Debate

Hayden, 2003:377 alluded to Laura Balbo (1981), who observed that:

“Not only do homemakers make the bridge betweencommercial services, government bureaucracies, andthe family, they are also low-paid providers of serviceperforming heroic feats of overtime in the commercialor state sectors.”

Views of women’s rolesViews of women’s roles

Woman in combat Women in the security force

Core issues in the feminist debateCore issues in the feminist debate

1. Historical, traditional or cultural definitions of the roles of women (universal vs. contextual views).

2. Distorted, biased and/or misinformed views of the roles of women.

3. Suppression of the rights and views of women.4. Unequal treatment (in language, at work, in the

provision of amenities, etc.).5. Devaluation of the roles of women.

Views of women’s rolesViews of women’s roles

Women as sources of income Women as sources of power

Causes of injustice and inequityCauses of injustice and inequity

1. Competition for resources (power, money, position, land, opportunities, etc.)

2. Ignorance3. Fear 4. Self-doubt/insecurity/complex5. Conflict of interests6. Attitude (envy, distrust, greed, selfishness, sheer

wickedness, vengeance, etc.)

Class DiscussionsClass Discussions

1. What is planning?2. How do the referenced values/goals factor into or

inform planning?3. What do planners do?4. How can planners, through their roles, address

the three referenced values/goals?

Key planning rolesKey planning roles

1. Planners as advisors to the public (policy makers, entrepreneurs, non-profits and grassroots).

2. Planners as advocates, custodians and lobbyists of and for the public interest.

3. Planners as technicians (research, design/plan, enforce regulations, etc.).

4. Planners as visionaries (development guidance)