Welcome to the NCERT Solution for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Social Justice. This article has been written with the aim to provide students with comprehensive and detailed answers to the textbook questions. The solutions have been prepared by the PSB Team, a group of experienced teachers and academicians, who have put in their best efforts to make the content as informative and easy to understand as possible.
What you will learn?
|Solved NCERT Exercise|
|Additional Question On Social Justice from Political Science Exampler|
|Short-Answer Type Questions|
|Long Answer Type Questions|
In this article, you will learn about the various aspects of social justice and how it is essential for the development of an equitable and just society. The NCERT textbook for Class 11 Political Science has a comprehensive chapter on social justice, covering topics such as equality, freedom, justice, and fraternity.
The NCERT Solution for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Social Justice has been designed to cater to the needs of students preparing for CBSE, UPSC, and other competitive exams. Along with the textbook solutions, you will also find additional questions from an exam perspective, to help you practice and prepare for your exams effectively.
NCERT Class 11 Chapter 4 Social Justice Textbook Solved Exercise
|Question 1||What does it mean to give each person his/her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?|
What Does “Giving Each Person Their Due” Mean?
- The phrase “giving each person their due” refers to the idea of treating individuals fairly and providing them with what they are owed or entitled to.
- Giving each person their due is crucial for promoting equality and well-being in society.
Types of Due:
- This can include granting individuals their rights, such as human rights.
- It can also refer to giving people what they have earned, such as a fair wage for their work.
Evolution of the Meaning:
- The meaning of “giving each person their due” has changed over time as society’s understanding of fairness and justice has evolved.
- The interpretation of what constitutes a person’s due has been shaped by historical, social, economic, and political factors, and may continue to change in the future.
- The principles of justice continue to play a vital role in shaping current understandings of “giving each person their due.” Today, this means giving equal consideration and respect to all individuals, regardless of their differences.
Examples of Changes:
- For instance, the concept of human rights and what is considered a fair wage has changed throughout history, reflecting changing values and beliefs.
- This concept applies to individuals, such as a doctor caring for their patients, as well as to government institutions that are responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of citizens
|Question 2||Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.|
The three principles of justice outlined in the chapter are equal treatment for equals, proportionate justice, and recognition of special needs.
- Equal Treatment for Equals: This principle states that all individuals deserve equal rights and equal treatment, regardless of their class, caste, race, or gender. They should be judged based on their work and actions and not the group they belong to. Example:
- Proportionate Justice: This principle recognizes that equal treatment may not always be the fairest option and that rewards should be proportional to the scale and quality of one’s effort. This would consider factors such as effort, skills, and dangers involved in the work. Example: A miner may not receive a just reward if they are not paid proportionately to the dangers they face in their work.
- Recognition of Special Needs: This principle recognizes the importance of taking into account the special needs of people in promoting social justice. It acknowledges that even treating people equally and proportionately might not be enough to ensure equality in all aspects of life, and that some people may have special needs due to factors such as disabilities, age, or lack of access to resources. These inequalities should be recognized and special help provided.
|Question 3||Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?|
The principle of considering the special needs of people does not necessarily conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all. Both principles can be complementary and aim to achieve fairness and justice in different ways.
The principle of equal treatment for all means that everyone should be treated the same, regardless of their differences. It ensures that no one is subjected to discrimination or unequal treatment on the basis of race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.
The principle of considering the special needs of people acknowledges that some individuals may require additional support or accommodation to ensure they have equal opportunities and access to resources. This may include, for example, providing additional resources or services to individuals with disabilities, or providing accommodations to individuals with language barriers.
By considering the special needs of people, we can ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in society, regardless of their individual circumstances. So, both principles can work together to promote fairness, justice, and equality.
|Question 4||How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds?|
John Rawls used the idea of a veil of ignorance in his theory of justice to argue that a fair and just distribution of resources and benefits can be defended on rational grounds.
He argued that the principles of justice should be selected by individuals who do not know their own positions in society, their natural abilities, social status, etc. This is the “veil of ignorance”.
Under the veil of ignorance, individuals are forced to consider the situation of all members of society, including the least advantaged. Rawls believed that this would lead them to choose principles of justice that are fair and impartial, rather than biased towards their own interests.
He argued that, in a just society, the basic liberties of each person should be equal, and that inequalities should only be allowed if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. Rawls also believed that the distribution of resources should be arranged in such a way as to maximize the total welfare of all members of society, rather than just the most advantaged.
In this way, Rawls used the idea of a veil of ignorance to defend the principles of justice as a rational choice for individuals, rather than simply appealing to moral or religious beliefs.
|Question 5||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?|
The basic minimum requirements for living a healthy and productive life are generally considered to be:
- Adequate food and clean water
- Shelter and clothing
- Access to healthcare and medical services
- Education and job opportunities
- Personal safety and security
The responsibility of governments in trying to ensure these minimum requirements to all citizens lies in providing essential public services, such as education and healthcare, and creating a legal and economic framework that promotes equality and provides equal opportunities to all citizens. Additionally, governments have the responsibility of enforcing laws that protect citizens’ rights and welfare, and ensuring that basic needs are met by implementing policies and programs that address poverty and inequality. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of governments to work towards creating a society where all citizens have access to the basic minimum requirements for a healthy and productive life.
|Question 6||Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to ail citizens?|
- (A) Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.
- (B) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.
- (C) Some people are naturally lazy and we should be kind to them.
- (D) Ensuring a basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.
(B) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.
(D) Ensuring a basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.
Short Answer Type Questions On Social Justice from Political Science Exampler
Q1. What is the principle of treating equals equally?
Answer: The principle of treating equals equally is that all individuals should be granted equal rights and receive equal treatment, regardless of their class, caste, race, or gender. They should be judged based on their work and actions and not their group membership.
Q2. What is the principle of proportionate justice?
The principle of proportionate justice states that equal treatment is not the only principle of justice and that in certain circumstances, it might be unjust. Proportionate justice would mean rewarding people based on the quality of their work and the effort they put in.
Q3. What is the principle of recognition of special needs?
Answer: The principle of recognition of special needs is that a society should take into account the special needs of people while distributing rewards or duties. This principle extends equal treatment and is used to promote social justice by providing special help to people who are considered unequal in certain respects, such as those with disabilities, lack of access to education, or poor health care.
Q4. What is the purpose of social justice in society?
Answer: The purpose of social justice in society is to ensure that individuals are treated in a fair manner and that the government does more than just enforce laws and policies. Social justice aims to promote a just society by harmonizing the different principles of justice, such as equal treatment, proportionate justice, and recognition of special needs.
Q5. What is the veil of ignorance according to John Rawls’ theory of justice?
Ans: The veil of ignorance is a concept in John Rawls’ theory of justice where individuals imagine themselves in a situation where they do not know their social status, wealth, abilities, etc.
Q6. What is the purpose of the veil of ignorance according to Rawls?
Ans: The purpose of the veil of ignorance is to eliminate biases and prejudices and to ensure fairness in the creation of a just society.
Q7. What is the difference principle according to Rawls?
Ans: The difference principle is a concept in Rawls’ theory of justice where inequalities are only acceptable if they work to the advantage of the least advantaged members of society.
Q8. What is the responsibility of governments according to Rawls in ensuring a just society?
Ans: According to Rawls, governments have the responsibility to ensure a just society by creating and enforcing laws that are fair and impartial and by ensuring equal basic liberties and opportunities for all citizens.