Polity Press (1 January 2005)
In the past 20 years, social injustice has increased enormously in Britain and the US, regardless of the party in power. At the same time, the idea of social justice itself has been subverted, as the mantras of 'personal responsibility' and 'equal opportunity' have been employed as an excuse for doing nothing about the enrichment of the few at the expense of the many and for making ever harsher demands on the poor and vulnerable. Once we understand the role of the social structure in limiting options, we have to recognise that really putting into practice ideas such as equal opportunity and personal responsibility would require a fundamental transformation of almost all existing institutions.
Brian Barry argues that only if inequalities of wealth and income are kept within a narrow range can equal prospects for education, health and autonomy be realised. He proposes a number of policies to achieve a more equal society and argues that they are economically feasible. But are they politically possible? The apparent stability of the status quo is delusory, he responds: 'radical changes in our way of life are unavoidable. Whether these changes are for better or worse depends partly on the availability of a coherent set of principles and a programme flowing from them that is capable of mobilising the growing discontent with 'business as usual'. That is, ultimately, why social justice matters.
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