Redistribution and Recognition: Dilemmas of Justice Explained

Introduction: The Redistribution-Recognition Dilemma

The desire for recognition has increasingly become a major driver of political conflict and mobilisation in the contemporary world. Groups organised under the banners of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, and sexuality now demand greater recognition — they want their rights and identity to be acknowledged and upheld. Nonetheless, given that the struggle for recognition is driven by material inequality, a significant dilemma arises: the dilemma of redistribution (socioeconomic justice) and recognition (cultural justice) (Fraser, 1995). In other words, can socioeconomic equality and cultural recognition be achieved at the same time, or should one be given priority at the expense of the other? This is a fundamental question warranting critical thought and attention. For Fraser (1995, p. 93), redistribution and recognition, though distinct, must be pursued simultaneously.

Cultural Recognition as a Political Force

Without a doubt, cultural recognition is now a forceful movement. Several examples in the real world — in both developed and developing countries — attest to this. Owing to the injustices they have endured throughout history, ethnic and racial minorities now want to be recognised as equal members of society. This is particularly true in the U.S., where indigenous communities, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latin Americans, and immigrants all want to be accorded the same treatment as the majority. Equally, women want to be given the same recognition as men. Similar to ethnic and racial minorities, women in most societies across the globe have grappled with gender discrimination and other forms of cultural injustice. Whether at work, at home, or in school, women have endured a world that treats men as superior. For the banner of sexuality, transgender and homosexual individuals now want to be recognised and accepted in society. They desire a world where they are not seen as abnormal, but as human beings like everyone else. In essence, cultural injustices compel the affected groups to take action against the practices and norms that perpetuate those injustices.

Struggles for recognition have been brought to the political stage. Due to historical injustices against women, feminism and other similar movements have been on the rise, with women seeking greater recognition in society. In many countries around the world, political discourses advocating for equal gender recognition are now commonplace. Some countries have enacted legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender and to give women more seats in political decision-making arenas such as the legislature. Government policies aimed at equalising gender representation have also been adopted. Though women are still underrepresented in the workplace in most countries, commendable progress has been made. Tremendous progress has also been made in terms of recognising transgender and homosexual members of society, with the U.S. and a number of other countries introducing legislation forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Though trans-sexualism and homosexuality are still viewed as unusual or unacceptable in many societies, there is reason to believe that transgender and homosexual individuals will have a better future.

Material Inequality and the Drive for Recognition

It is important to note that the struggle for recognition is fundamentally driven by material inequality — in terms of income, wealth, employment, education, healthcare, and so forth (Fraser, 1995). In most societies around the world, material inequalities manifest along the lines of race, ethnicity, nationality, and gender. For instance, poverty and poor health outcomes tend to be more prevalent among racial and ethnic minorities compared to the majority. Similarly, women have historically endured lower incomes and less accumulated wealth compared to men. Regrettably, material inequality has depicted an upward trend, deepening the desire for recognition. How, then, can the problems of redistribution and recognition be addressed? Answering this question is important not only for public policy, but also for social change.

The Intertwining of Culture and Political Economy

Clearly, the pursuit of socioeconomic redistribution cannot be undertaken without attention to cultural recognition, and vice versa. Redistribution and recognition must be pursued concurrently. This is the overarching argument in Fraser's (1995) article. It makes little or no sense to promote socioeconomic equality without upholding the rights of women or ethnic and racial minorities. The need to pursue redistribution and recognition simultaneously stems specifically from the close intertwinement between culture and the political economy in the real world. Cultural norms become normalised in politics and the economy, resulting in what Fraser (1995, p. 73) calls "a vicious circle of cultural and economic subordination."

It is not difficult to observe this phenomenon in the real world. In the U.S., for instance, prejudice against racial minorities has historically been institutionalised in politics and the economy. Prior to the 1950s, rules and regulations systematically blocked African-Americans from full or free participation in the political and economic arena, or even from mixing with white Americans. With institutionalised racism, African-Americans could not live in certain residences or obtain decent jobs. These injustices were at the heart of the civil rights movement, through which African-Americans sought to secure legal recognition — they wanted their civil rights recognised, respected, and upheld. The movement led to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, opening a new chapter in the rights of African-Americans.

References

Fraser, N. (1995). From redistribution to recognition? Dilemmas of justice in a post-socialist age. New Left Review, 212, 68–93.