Why We Disagree about Inequality: Social Justice vs. Social Order

The authors of this book argue that two clashing worldviews, social justice and social order, are preventing Americans from solving their most pressing social problems. They suggest that each worldview provides a different understanding of human nature, morality, social change, and the wisdom of the past and that only by recognizing the wisdom of both sides can we achieve common ground and consensus.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Why do we disagree about the causes of and solutions to social inequality? What explains our different viewpoints on Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, income inequality, and immigration?

In this tightly argued book, John Iceland, Eric Silver, and Ilana Redstone show how two clashing worldviews – one emphasizing social justice and another emphasizing social order – are preventing Americans from solving their most pressing social problems.

The authors show how each worldview provides a different understanding of human nature, morality, social change, and the wisdom of the past. They argue that, before Americans can find lasting solutions to today's seemingly intractable societal challenges, they will need to recognize that each side possesses a wisdom the other lacks. Only then can we achieve the common ground and consensus we seek.

The authors argue that the social justice worldview emphasizes the importance of fairness, equality, and social mobility. It emphasizes the need to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice for all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The social justice worldview is often associated with progressive political movements and advocates for policies such as universal healthcare, gun control, and LGBTQ+ rights.

On the other hand, the social order worldview emphasizes the importance of stability, order, and traditional values. It emphasizes the need to maintain social hierarchies and promote traditional family values. The social order worldview is often associated with conservative political movements and advocates for policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and border security.

The authors argue that these two worldviews are often at odds with each other, leading to disagreements about the causes of and solutions to social inequality. For example, the social justice worldview may prioritize addressing systemic inequalities, while the social order worldview may prioritize maintaining traditional values. This can lead to disagreements about policies such as affirmative action, immigration reform, and criminal justice reform.

The authors also argue that these two worldviews are often shaped by different experiences and perspectives. The social justice worldview may be shaped by experiences of discrimination and oppression, while the social order worldview may be shaped by experiences of success and stability. This can lead to disagreements about the appropriate balance between individual rights and social responsibility.

The authors suggest that to address these disagreements and find lasting solutions to social inequality, Americans need to recognize that each side possesses a wisdom the other lacks. They argue that we can achieve common ground and consensus by finding ways to balance the competing demands of social justice and social order. This may involve promoting policies that address both systemic inequalities and traditional values, such as investing in education and job training programs to promote social mobility, while also promoting policies that maintain traditional family values and promote stability.

The authors also suggest that we can build bridges between these two worldviews by promoting dialogue and understanding. This may involve engaging in respectful conversations with individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives, and seeking to find common ground on issues such as social justice, social order, and the wisdom of the past.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable insight into the causes of and solutions to social inequality. By showing how two clashing worldviews are preventing Americans from solving their most pressing social problems, the authors suggest that we can achieve common ground and consensus by recognizing the wisdom of each side and finding ways to balance the competing demands of social justice and social order. This will require a willingness to engage in dialogue and understanding with individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives, and a commitment to promoting policies that address both systemic inequalities and traditional values.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 218 x 142 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509557127