Evaluating Society's "Spheres of Justice": The Israeli Case

Abstract

Using accumulated knowledge of Israeli social structure and culture, justice research, and a structural approach to social justice judgments, this study examines perceptions of social justice in Israel regarding the distribution of various classes of resources. The analysis yields a set of hypotheses about the degree to which individuals-within and across status groups of ethnicity and gender-favor more differentiating rules in resource distribution over less differentiating rules. Empirical testing is based on a national sample of Jewish students in State junior high schools. Findings revealed that preference for differentiation varies with the resource's degree of particularism (non-convertibility). Despite differences between status groups, an overall uniform pattern was discerned. Findings are discussed from a comparative perspective and on the basis of justice theory.