3 articles

["Dr. Sanjeev Sabhlok" <sanjeev@sabhlokcity.com>]

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a. S.V. Raju's "Liberalism - A Contemporary View" and "The Requirements of
Social Justice"

b. my "A Case for the Rapid Urbanization of India"

Pl. read these articles.

=-=-=-=-=-=-====--=-=-=-=-=-

Now, let me look at Sh. Raju's views on social justice.

He says, "Though in any society some form of inequality is unavoidable the
persistence of large-scale economic disparities, and the undignified living
conditions of millions of Indians is a reality that cannot be overlooked.
The satisfaction of a set of basic needs must have the highest priority,
for without food shelter, clothing, health care and primary education a
person does not become a human being."

- These are economc issues. This argument should NOT allow for the state's
economic intervention except for the direct aid to those below the poverty
line. Public health is another thing, not to be mixed up with these things,
and also funding of eduction (not the supply of education).  The citizen
can best choose whether he/she needs food/shelter from the money available
with him/ her. We can't dictate 'basic' needs to citizens and misuse tax
payers's money for that. PDS system and Housing departments (like the one I
am running in Meghalaya) are a gross misdirection of public money. NIT is
the solution to this, with huge savings to the country while being
super-effective.

He also says: "The widespread caste prejudices and the continuing
discrimination against the lower castes are a threat to social stability
and peace. The social and educational backwardness of a vast section of the
population inhibits its participation in the process of social and economic
development not to mention human development. Hence the reduction of
discriminatory social practices is an important part of the movement for
social justice."

This, as I suspected, is the key point relating to social justice. This has
been discussed on IPI as follows:

"PART III
SOCIAL POLICY

"Equality of opportunity is best operationalised in terms of absence of
discrimination on the basis of birth or social characteristics. While
differentiation on the basis of an individual's ability and effort should
receive its due reward, discrimination on the basis of religion, caste,
tribe or sex, etc., is unacceptable. Some  of the currently practiced
discriminations that we need to work upon, as a nation, are the following:


"2.1   	Phasing out the reservation system: The  role and shape of  the
reservation policy needs to be well understood. Given the unfortunate
persistence of social  discrimination against certain citizens based on
social status  determined by birth within the Hindu religion, it is
necessary for the relevant religious leaders to work toward complete
abolition of the caste system, which would then facilitate the early
elimination of  compensatory discrimination practiced by the state. A three
pronged strategy to move this issue  forward will be adopted:
a)     	Investment will be made in areas that have a long term impact on
the welfare of the  weaker sections of the society.
b)     	A framework will be put into place to help phase out the current
policies of reservation, essentially subject to the phasing out of the
caste system. To enable a fair phasing out, a National Disadvantage Index
will be formulated which takes into account educational and income
disparities, as well as social discrimination and violence based on caste.
Full reservation on the basis of population size of a particular  community
- which lowers the incentives for improvement and creates a deep  divide in
the society - will be examined, and modified appropriately."

National Disadvantage Index

A Disadvantage index, based on the following measures would be created:

a) 33% weight: Educational backwardness, as measured by:
        Total literacy of SCs/ STs 						(1/3rd weight)
        Female literacy of SCs/ STs 						(1/3rd weight)
        Secondary and higher education status of SCs /STs 			(1/3rd weight)

b) 33% weight: Economic backwardness, as measured by:
        Relative difference in per captita income between SCs/STs and the
general population

c) 33% weight: Social discrimination, as measured by:
        Intercaste killings 							(1/3rd weight)
        Other caste-based crimes 						(1/3rd weight)
        Actions taken by Hindu religious leaders to abolish the caste
system. 	(1/3rd 		weight)

I hope Sh. Raju finds this view very specific and acceptable. Sh. Raju
says: "The Liberal position is that the state should not try to legislate
the removal of  income inequalities but should focus on the most
disadvantaged groups  and ensure that they survive with dignity and are
able to compete on an equitable basis."

I differ on this rather loose use of words. Except as defined above (i.e.,
partial affirmative action on non-economic grounds), the state has NO
business to help anyone above the poverty line under any pretext; hence
being more specific in your use of the word "most disadvantaged groups"
would be necessary. Else, I can also rise and say that I am 'most
disadvantaged' in certain 'social' respects. E.g., as I said earlier, while
my Muslim brothers get state subsidy to go abroad (Mecca), I - an agnostic
- do not get any subsidy to go to Disneyland. Draw the line FIRMLY at the
poverty line; else you and all of us will land into thick soup.

Sh. Raju also says, "A position can be taken that when people are put in
control of the resources they create, it is possible for them to not only
acquire economic independence, it is also possible for them to become
socially independent"

I beg to differ. I do not care for independence defined in any way OTHER
than political independence. Economic equality is meaningful; not economic
independence. Social equality under the law and a partial affirmative
action if needed is meaningful, not social independence. Let us not concoct
words which have hundreds of loose interpretations,  kill liberty and
promote big fat bureaucracies.

He says, "What is needed is a plurality of democratic structures right down
to the village level which empower the citizen as a part of his everyday
life."

This (and much that you say on similar veins in this article on social
justice) is a governance or political equality issue, NOT a social justice
issue. Pl. also see my article on Local Boards on IPI.

Finally, therefore, I am still not convinced that social justice - as
loosely defined, is acceptable in the liberal terminology. Pin down the
word to caste discrimination, and specify what you want here; other issues
are economic/ political; not related to social justice.

SS

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