Fairness in a Civil Society

Social Equality & Equity

Insights: As you read the resources, create bullet points that capture what you have learned about the relationship between equality and social equity, and critical insights you gained from each article. Summarize these key points and insights by using APA format.

One thing that stands out is that equality is something that is easy to say but hard to enforce or truly define. Many assert that people should NOT be equal, should not given the right on the same footing as others and so forth. However, when the "rich get richer," such as has been happening for years now, that is a hard principle to defend (Hacker & Pierson).

Equality and equity of access are the two main perspectives, it would seem, when it comes to people's lot in life. The author of this response would side with the latter. So long as everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive, they should be allowed to reap the fruits of their labor even if that puts them in a position superior to others. However, many assert that equal access is not remotely in place now and that the overall playing field is far from level (Kranich, 2005).

The million dollar question for a lot of people is what, if any, role the government should have when it comes to enforcing equality of equity. Politicians are among the first to decry poverty and the wealth of the richest. However, redistribution of wealth does not seem to help all that much over the long-term. Also, many public servants and elected officials clearly overstep their bounds and limits with their actions and rhetoric. At the same time, many (but certainly not all) of the disadvantaged in life are in that position because of bad choices they have made. However many others are born into horrible situations and never get a real chance. Broad-based assumptions and single-form solutions do not hold any water (Glaser et al., 2011; Hacker & Pierson, 2010; Cooper, 2012).

Resource: In addition to the assigned readings, share one other resource that amplifies the themes for this week, such as the relationship between equality and social equity. Note a book, article, news items, website, or film with similar ideas, thoughts, and themes. Cite your resource by using APA format, and explain, in no more than three sentences, how this resource is relevant to the assigned readings.

The ALA tackles this distinction in the form of saying that there are arguments for distribution of resources and income but they also note that lack of equality can be defined as lacking the "knowledge, income, equipment, or training necessary to participate fully in public discourse." The ALA also states that Americans are favorable to equal distribution but more averse to the general concept of equity and they think it's "unfair." The ALA seems to hold the overall view that equality of access should be the main goal…not enforcing equal outcomes for all (ALA, 2015).

Application: Provide an example from current or past experience (about one paragraph) on a threat to equality or equity. (Multicultural and/or international examples are welcome but not required.) Then, explain a strategy you believe that a public administrator might use to promote equality and equity in this example and explain why you chose this strategy.