Navigating the landscape of social justice, especially in Class 11, can be both enlightening and challenging. Are you in the quest to understand what is social justice in Class 11? Or maybe you're searching for reliable class 11 political science chapter 4 question answers? Look no further than WitKnowLearn! We delve deep into the heart of social justice, unravelling its many layers. In Class 11, students embark on a journey to understand the intricate balance between rights and responsibilities, and the role of justice in society. What is justice in Class 11, you might wonder? It's more than just a term; it's a commitment to ensuring fairness and equality for all. The discussions on social justice in Class 11 are pivotal, fostering critical thinking and shaping young minds to be champions of change. With WitKnowLearn by your side, every query, from the basics to the complex, finds its answer. Dive into a world where justice isn't just a concept but a call to action. Join us in understanding, questioning, and shaping a brighter, more just future.

Q1. Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.

Ans: Principle of treating equals equally: Refers to equal rights and equal treatment to individuals who share certain

characteristics as a human being, i.e. civil rights including right to life, liberty and property and political rights including

right to vote, to enable rights to individuals to participate in political processes, etc. Apart from equal rights, the

principle of treating equals equally would require that people should not be discriminated against on grounds of class,

caste, race or gender. The individuals should be judged on the basis of their capabilities they perform, i.e. male teachers

get higher salary than female teachers, the persons performing the same tasks but getting different amount due to case

inunjust.

Proportionate Justice: Equal treatment is not the only principle of justice because some circumstances may appear to

be unjust if equal treatment is given. Provided everybody starts from the same base line of equal rights, justice in such

cases would mean rewarding people in proportion to the scale and quality of their effort. Most people would agree that

although people should get the same reward for the same work, it would be fair and just to reward different kinds of

work differently if we take into account factors such as the effort required, the skills required, the possible dangers

involved in that work, and so on. For justice in society, the principle of equal treatment needs to be balanced with the

principle of proportionality.

Recognition of Special Needs: A third principle of justice which we recognise is for a society to take into account special

needs of people while distributing rewards or duties. This would be considered a way of promoting social justice.

People with special needs or disabilities could be considered unequal in some particular respect and deserving of

special help. But it is not always easy to get agreement regarding which inequalities of people should be recognised for

providing them special help. Physical disabilities, age or lack of access to good education or health care, are some of the

factors which are considered grounds for special treatment in many countries. In our country, lack of access to good

education or health care and other such facilities is often found combined with social discrimination on grounds of

caste. The Constitution therefore allowed for reservations of government jobs. Different groups in the country might

favour different policies depending upon which principle of justice they emphasise.

Q2. 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 minimum to all?

Ans: 1. A just society should ensure basic minimum requirements of people for living healthy and secure lives and provide

equal opportunities to pursue their chosen goals.

2. A democratic government is responsible for a basic amount of nourishment to keep citizens healthy, education

opportunities to pursue their chosen goals.

3. But, to provide all these basic requirements put a heavy burden on government especially in the countries where

poor people are in large number.

4. If all of us agree that it is the responsibility of state, the conflicts may arise on choosing the methods to achieve these

goals.

5. The various debates have taken place on adopting the methods to ensure well-off of disadvantaged sections either

by promoting open competition or should be taken the responsibility by state or by a redistribution of resources.

6. In India, different approaches are being suggested by different political groups who debate the relative merits to help

marginalized sections of peoples.

Q3. How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational

grounds?

Ans: Rawls uses the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds.

He says that if a person keeps herself/ himself under the ‘veil of ignorance’ then s/ he would come up with the just

distribution, fair laws and policies that would affect the whole society.

A person under the ‘veil of ignorance’ is unaware of her/ his possible position and status in the society therefore s/ he

would rationally decide from the point of view of the worst-off.

It would be sensible in this situation for everyone to ensure that all resources are available equally to all persons.

In this way Rawls, with his idea of ‘veil of ignorance’, is able to prove that fair and just distribution can be defended on

rational grounds with the help of this idea.

Q4. Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?

Ans: The principle of considering the special needs of people does not raise a conflict with the principle of equal

treatment for all.

People with special needs are given special treatment to facilitate their participation in the running of the society.

People with special needs also require special treatment for integration with society and for securing

opportunities and basic needs that would be otherwise denied to them.

The senior citizens, women and socially backward people are given special treatment due to their special needs.

Q5. What does it mean to give each person his/ her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?

Ans: Giving each person his/ her due means providing justice by ensuring the well-being of all the people.

In contemporary time, the concept of “giving each his due” has changed to the understanding of what is due to each

person as a human being. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that if all persons are granted dignity then

what is due to each of them is the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue their chosen goals.

Q6. Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all

citizens?

Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.

Ans: Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living to ensure equality of opportunity is justified basis of state

action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens. This is because it is the responsibility of the

government to provide opportunities for citizens.

Q7. Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all

citizens?

Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human

right.

Ans: Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all as a recognition of our shared humanity and human

rights is a justified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.

Q8. Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all

citizens? Some people are naturally lazy and we should be kind to them.

Ans: Being kind to people who are lazy is not rational thinking as laziness is not a physical handicap. Therefore, it is an

unjustified basis for state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.

Q9. Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all

citizens?

Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.

Ans: Providing free services to the poor and needy as an act of charity is unjustified basis of state action to provide basic

minimum conditions of life to all citizens. Services to the poor and needy are their rights and the government should

not give these to them as charity.