Sample Answer
What is a Just State?
A just state can be understood as a society that upholds fairness, equity, and the protection of rights for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. Determining what constitutes justice has been a central question in political philosophy, and different theorists have proposed varying approaches to achieving a just state. Two perspectives that contribute to this discourse are intersectionality and traditional social justice philosophies, such as Rawls’ theory of justice.
Intersectionality and Justice
Intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how aspects of a person’s social and political identities, such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability, combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. The term was first coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989), who argued that traditional legal and social frameworks often fail to capture the overlapping and compounding nature of marginalisation experienced by individuals at the intersection of multiple identities.
In a just state, the principle of intersectionality ensures that policies and laws address not only single-axis forms of discrimination but also the compounded effects of systemic inequality. For instance, a black woman may experience both racial and gender-based discrimination, which cannot be adequately understood or addressed by looking at either racism or sexism alone. This approach highlights the need for more nuanced and comprehensive measures of justice that reflect the lived experiences of diverse populations.
Rawls’ Theory of Justice
A foundational social philosophy on justice is John Rawls’ Theory of Justice (1971), which outlines principles for a fair and just society. Rawls proposes two key principles: (1) each person has an equal right to the most extensive basic liberties compatible with similar liberties for others, and (2) social and economic inequalities must be arranged to benefit the least advantaged and be attached to positions open to all under fair equality of opportunity. Rawls introduces the "original position" and the "veil of ignorance" as thought experiments to ensure impartiality when determining the principles of justice. From behind the veil of ignorance, where individuals do not know their own social status, gender, or ethnicity, people are more likely to choose principles that safeguard the most vulnerable.
Rawls’ framework aligns with the concept of distributive justice, which focuses on the fair allocation of resources and opportunities. In a just state, his principles would guide the creation of laws, institutions, and policies that ensure fairness and mitigate the impact of inequality.
Examples and Application
Combining Rawls’ theory with intersectionality provides a more complete vision of a just state. For example, while Rawls’ principles advocate for the fair distribution of resources, intersectionality helps us understand which groups are most in need due to historical and systemic oppression. A real-world example is affirmative action in higher education, where policies are implemented to support underrepresented groups such as low-income students or ethnic minorities. Rawls might support such policies under his difference principle, while intersectionality highlights the compounded disadvantages faced by individuals who are, for instance, both poor and disabled.
Another example is healthcare access. An intersectional approach would consider how low-income women of colour face distinct barriers due to racial, economic, and gender-related disparities. A just state would ensure that health policies address these layered disadvantages through targeted interventions.
