Social Justice Research Articles

Neoliberalism and legal culture: The path of least resistance is what makes rivers run crooked

This article examines the relationship between neoliberalism and legal culture in South Africa, focusing on how the neoliberal paradigm influences legal interpretation and the adjudication of socio-economic rights. It explores how neoliberalism, defined as the dominance of capitalist forces over weaker oppositional interests, permeates judicial decision-making, shaping how courts address issues of inequality and social justice. The article argues that neoliberalism, in prioritizing market interests, has contributed to a conservative legal inertia that prevents transformative legal outcomes. This dynamic has entrenched existing socio-economic disparities, especially as state power continues to serve the interests of capital, reinforcing apartheid-era economic structures. Despite the transformative potential embedded in South Africa's constitutional framework, the legal system remains constrained by what Karl Klare terms as professional sensibilities, codes, and values, many of which are influenced by neoliberalism. Drawing on theoretical insights of Karl Klare, the article calls for a rethinking of legal culture and a shift towards more relational, metaphorical approaches that challenge hegemonic narratives. Only by resisting these metanarratives can meaningful transformation be achieved in the pursuit of equality and justice.

A Critical Analysis of Social Engineering Theory in the Context of Legal Development in Indonesia

The theory of Social Engineering is a legal theory that views law as a tool for social engineering. However, the concept of Social Engineering in the context of legal development in Indonesia faces gaps in its implementation, often clashing with social, economic, political, and cultural realities. This research aims to analyze the concept of Social Engineering, as proposed by Roscoe Pound, within the framework of modern law. It also seeks to evaluate the relevance of this theory to legal development in Indonesia. This study adopts a normative juridical method with a conceptual approach. The data used is secondary in nature, derived from primary, secondary, and tertiary legal sources. Data collection is conducted through a literature review, while data analysis is performed qualitatively. Roscoe Pound's Social Engineering theory views law as a tool to create a balance of interests within society, aiming to meet its ever-evolving needs. In a modern context, this theory aligns with an approach that considers the impact of legal policies on social welfare. In Indonesia, the application of this theory is evident in legal reforms focused on social justice and public welfare. However, challenges such as weak law enforcement and discrepancies between policies and social realities need to be addressed in order to achieve effective legal development. Keywords: Theory; Law; Social Engineering.

A knee at the table: Jay-Z, Colin Kaepernick, and the endurance of competing strategies in Black social justice

Abstract In August 2019, the U.S. National Football League (NFL) and entertainment company Roc-Nation entered into a partnership to amplify the league’s “social justice efforts.” This partnership received mixed reactions from news media and fans with significant negative criticism. Many accused the NFL of using the celebrity reputation of Roc-Nation founder, Jay-Z, for cultural capital to recoup from the negative press received following the 2016 protest of Colin Kaepernick. This article examines the media discourse following the announcement of the partnership and how it perpetuates a long-existing ideological feud within Black social justice that questions if the path to racial progress must be achieved with the help of white institutions. I argue that the adoption of neoliberal ideologies into contemporary activism has shifted focus from the needs of the communities being served to the brand image and market profits of celebrity activists and corporations.

Judicial Activism and Governance: A Comprehensive Analysis of Constitutional Principles

The research examines the evolving role of the judiciary in shaping and influencing public policy, emphasizing the delicate balance required to maintain the separation of powers while ensuring effective governance. The study encompasses a broad spectrum of constitutional doctrines and judicial decisions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between the judiciary and the other branches of government and it also acknowledges the potential benefits of judicial activism in addressing societal issues. It not only helps in protecting fundamental rights but it also scrutinizes the concerns surrounding overreach and the erosion of democratic principles. A central focus of the paper is the intricate relationship between judicial review and the separation of powers. The analysis evaluates how judicial activism can serve as a check on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that constitutional rights are safeguarded. However, it also underscores the need for judicial restraint to prevent the judiciary from encroaching on the policymaking domain reserved for elected representatives. The paper discusses the evolving nature of constitutional interpretation and the potential impact on governance, with a specific emphasis on how judicial decisions can influence the legal landscape and societal norms. Furthermore, the analysis considers the role of judicial activism in addressing contemporary challenges such as social justice, environmental protection, and technological advancements. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the relationship between judicial activism and governance, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance that upholds constitutional principles while respecting the roles of the other branches of government. The paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the evolving nature of judicial power and its implications for effective and accountable governance within a constitutional framework.

Modern Bioeconomy Measurement in the Green Economy Paradigm: Four Pillars of Alternative Bioeconomy

The bioeconomic transition is not always seen as sustainable and environmentally friendly. In particular, it may contribute to increased global inequality, affect economic and social stability, and increase dependence on innovative biotechnologies that may be unaffordable for many countries. These issues are causing considerable controversy in the scientific community and require rethinking the balance between technology, ecology, and social justice. The motivation for this study was the need to provide a critical analysis of modern scientific production in order to find systematic evidence in the debate of the scientific community on bioeconomy. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications from 2013 to 2023 from the Scopus database and identified scientific trajectories that contribute to the elimination of contradictions and debates around rethinking the balance of technological and environmental friendliness in the bioeconomic concept. The analysis of the publications has shown that the bioeconomy is actively integrated with the concepts of green and circular economies, but its impact on sustainability remains controversial. In particular, bioeconomic approaches can lead to environmental and social problems, such as depletion of bioresources and unequal access to biotechnology. Accordingly, four pillars of the alternative bioeconomy have been identified that can contribute to a more balanced development of this area.

Collaborative and interdisciplinary teaching in sport and exercise: Lessons from the development and delivery of an equity, diversity, and inclusion workshop

Training in sport and exercise that is collaborative and interdisciplinary allows for the delivery of key knowledge and skills that help shape trainees’ practice. Such training also demonstrates how collaborations can take shape and how individuals can work together in the future. We present an example of collaborative and interdisciplinary training used within an equity, diversity, and inclusion workshop that was provided to trainees enrolled on the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) training program offered through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The SEPAR program was designed to allow trainees to gain knowledge, skills, and experience to apply and register as Practitioner Psychologists with the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom. The workshop was a collaboration between individuals trained in sport and exercise psychology and clinical social work. Overall, the workshop helped trainees gain an understanding of key terms and definitions concerning equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as well as legal responsibilities. The workshop also demonstrated a variety of perspectives from sport and exercise psychology and clinical social work as to how inclusive and socially just approaches can be used to create safe environments that can foster strong therapeutic relationships with clients.

Paramedicine educators’ identity needs and impediments to professional emergence: A multiphase mixed-methods participatory approach

This research delves into how identity-needs and philosophies of paramedicine educators influence theoretical advancement and praxis in higher education. It examines the perceptions of paramedicine academics, their roles and the transitional challenges when moving from clinical practice to academia. It explores the potential of transformative pedagogy in fostering social consciousness, justice, and innovation. Challenges and benefits of a constructivist approach to paramedicine education and future-orientation is assessed. Employing a multiphase mixed-methods participatory approach, researchers reached consensus on the guided themes (Phase 1) for staff collaborative engagement (Phase 2) during the inaugural ‘Paramedicine Educators Forum’, which featured participation of academic leaders and staff from four universities and one jurisdictional ambulance service. The study unveils the intricate tapestry of paramedicine educators' identities and philosophies and their impact on theoretical advancements and practical applications in higher education. Conversations revolved around defining the role of paramedics in academia, the potential of transformative pedagogy, and the balance between producing competent paramedics whilst nurturing criticality. Discussions also addressed the shortcomings of current undergraduate degrees in preparing students for technological advancements and the potential for extended degree programs. The findings underscore the need to adapt paramedicine education to meet the evolving demands of the profession, with paramedicine educators playing a leading role in this transformation. These insights may be instructive in providing guidance for educational policies and practices that shape the future of paramedicine education and may have transferability for other allied health professions.

‘It's good what we're doing and it's scary what we're facing’: young people’s care-ful environmental action in the UK

ABSTRACT In this paper, we argue for greater recognition of young people’s contributions to environmental action through social and environmental justice. It draws on findings from research based on eleven organisations in the UK exploring young people’s connection with environment-related collective action and activism in the UK landscape. Building on theoretical arguments of ethics of care and implicit activism and capturing a range of practices of young people, the paper explores young people’s multiple framing(s) of activisms – towards the environment and each other. Drawing on the experiences of young people and facilitators within these organisations, we unpack the experiences and representation of minoritised groups in the climate movement and other forms of environmental engagement. The findings demonstrate thoughtful and effective approaches towards inclusion within the UK context and in terms of global climate justice but also highlight a need for more intersectional approaches and awareness of enduring barriers often relating to racialised identities.

Factors Contributing to Social Justice Action: A Scoping Review of the Published Literature

Factors Contributing to Social Justice Action: A Scoping Review of the Published Literature

The mutual shaping mechanism between new quality productive forces and educational equity

The relationship between new-quality productivity and educational equity is characterized by close mutual influence and co-evolution. Driven by technological innovation, new-quality productivity is profoundly transforming the economic and social landscape. Educational equity, a crucial component of social justice, is vital for ensuring equal development opportunities for all individuals. The robust growth of new-quality productivity not only optimizes the distribution of educational resources and enhances educational quality but also poses new challenges and demands for equity in education. In turn, the continuous advancement of educational equity provides a solid talent foundation and a conducive environment for innovation to new-quality productivity. These two aspects intertwine and progress together in various domains, including policy systems, cultural values, and educational practices. This interplay highlights the central role of new-quality productivity and educational equity in societal development, while also demonstrating their dynamic and complementary relationship.

#Polarized: Gauging Potential Policy Bargaining Ranges Between Opposing Social Movements of Black Lives Matter and Police Lives Matter

(1) Background: Since the death of George Floyd, the social movement Black Lives Matter continues to dominate the American political psyche, not only advancing a public dialogue but also escalating the polarization of supported solutions for policing and systemic discrimination. (2) Methods: Using a qualitative context analysis approach, we assessed over 350 sources related to social justice literature and policy-relevant documents to identify key policy solutions supported by the American Black Lives Matter movement compared to the Blue Lives Matter movement. We applied Fearon’s bargaining range of war model to analyze the extent to which the policy recommendations of these two opposing movements may overlap. The purpose was to identify and categorize agreement alternatives across various sectors. This research presents top policy solutions, assessing their bargaining ranges. (3) Results: 32 of the 36 top policy reform alternatives at the national level have sufficient bargaining ranges. This analysis indicates the importance of supporting various sectors like mental health/psychosocial policies and programs, which can (1) serve as a focal point of agreement between contending movements, and (2) decrease racial injustice through strategic bargaining. (4) Conclusions: In a divisively political landscape, it is crucial to identify starting points for negotiation among contending actors. Identifying bargaining opportunities can help seed a dialogue that may benefit all parties involved.

Environmental Taxation and Sustainable Environmental Protection - Reality or Myth? An Integrative Review

The increase in environmental pollution has different origins, and in each of them we can observe the actions and activities of human beings, whether natural or legal persons. In response to this, the legal figure of the environmental tax has been applied as a strategy and means of income to prevent, compensate for environmental damage and improve ecological quality, constituting a route to improve sustainable environmental protection. In this sense, this article examines, based on the scientific literature, the relationship between environmental taxation and sustainable development. The research topics are varied in terms of methodologies and theoretical perspectives, and the relationship between environmental taxes and their objectives remains controversial. The main findings of the review highlighted the importance and purpose of taxes; the difference between types of taxes; the justification for tax collection; and the orientation of the resources raised towards improving environmental protection and sustainable environment, which allows us to conclude on the need to reflect on the implementation of viable environmental policies aimed at ensuring social justice. In this sense, policy makers must have the appropriate profile that demonstrates expertise since sustainable development encompasses the protection of the environment by reducing pollution with educational and awareness-raising policies. Received: 11 July 2024 / Accepted: 30 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Political and Community Logics of Emergent Disease Vaccine Deployment: Anthropological Insights from DRC, Uganda and Tanzania

With a growing number of emerging infectious diseases and the rapid development of vaccines during epidemics and pandemics, public health officials at the global and national level have reported concerns about vaccine hesitancy, often attributing this to a problem of misinformation and poor understanding of risk. However, social scientists have found that vaccination perceptions are complex and multi-faceted. By focusing on the historical, cultural and political influences that affect vaccine acceptance, as well as social justice questions that examine the fair distribution of vaccines, we explore the political and community logics of vaccine deployment using a case study approach. We found differing logics depending on the vaccine and the context and argue that political and community logics come to the forefront during outbreaks as vaccine strategies often are imposed—in different ways—by the Global North. We suggest that, prior to the development and deployment of new vaccines for emergent diseases in the Global South, political level and community logics must be acknowledged and engaged with.

Critical Pedagogies and Social Justice in Environmental Education: A Transformative Approach to Educational Project Management

This article explores the intersection between critical pedagogies and social justice in the context of environmental education, with a focus on transforming educational projects to promote meaningful social change. Through theoretical analysis and qualitative methodology, it highlights how critical pedagogies offer a valuable framework for addressing social and environmental inequalities. This approach fosters students' awareness of their role as agents of change in environmental protection and in creating more equitable and resilient communities. The results show that the application of these principles facilitates the development of critical thinking and empowerment competencies in students, promoting active participation in environmental management.

Embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into the Career Curricula

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for addressing global challenges, linking environmental sustainability to individual and social well-being and social justice. This article explores how embedding the SDGs into career development can enhance career exploration and contribute to a sustainable future. Drawing on experiences from teaching a senior career capstone course, it highlights strategies for integrating the SDGs into career interventions. Key components include developing personal mission statements, researching organizations, analyzing future work trends, and conducting informational interviews. The article also presents evidence of the course's impact on students' thinking and provides practical advice for implementation.

Black Studies and Public Humanities

Abstract This essay brings Black Studies, now commonly referred to as Africana Studies, further into the public humanities dialogue. Scholars in the public humanities field are urging a practice of humanities that is collaborative and committed to racial and social justice, especially in the context of community-based scholarship. The origin and current protocols of Black Studies are also community-centric and operate within a liberatory framework in that it is ultimately concerned with the vitality of Black people across the diaspora. The essay describes the correlation between Black Studies and public humanities and discusses the usefulness of both disciplines in reckoning with slavery and its legacies at higher education institutions. In addition to giving a short genealogy of public humanities and Black Studies, the essay uses William & Mary’s Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation and Chesapeake Heartland: An African American at African American Humanities Project at Washington College as examples on how to possibly navigate the challenges ahead as public humanists and Black Studies scholars critically engage with the public on memorialization, reconciliation, and redress.

Why should i be judged? Exploring third party perceptions of workplace incivility against single working mothers

A serious problem in the workplace is incivility, which impacts especially vulnerable groups like single mothers who hold jobs and experience subtle unfair or damaging treatment. As the number of single working mothers continues to rise in today’s workforce, this study aims to clarify third-party perceptions about incivility against them at work and subsequent influences on individuals as well as the organization. Because the analysis is embedded in theories of social role expectations and organizational justice, it explores third-party observers’ perceptions (such as coworkers or supervisors) of whether incivility directed at single working mothers differs from that experienced by their comparison group—professionally equivalent peers who do not share equal caregiver responsibilities. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews to collect rich data from participants who represented several fields. They report their results that third-party observers are less likely to experience vicarious justification of incivility against single working mothers but may be equally unlikely or even more reluctant than in the case of other employees and furthermore find this data account for these differences. The results illustrate the intricate interplay of gender, family structure and work dynamics on workplace outcomes—all leading to lower job satisfaction rates, a high level of stress or even stagnation in career progression for single working mothers. Our findings also extend the workplace incivility literature by demonstrating ways in which single working mothers are particularly vulnerable to this form of mistreatment and a broader need for organizational policies that cultivate an inclusive, supportive environment. Implications for human resource management, organizational culture and policy based on these findings are discussed as it may provide some recommendations for handling incivility in the workplace environment.

Securing the Future of the Humanities

Abstract A decade ago, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences published The Heart of the Matter report to much acclaim. But what has been the impact of such a high-minded report? In the decade since its publication, we have seen a prevailing anti-humanities rhetoric with significant consequences to the security and persistence of humanistic principles. This article focuses on what many consider to be the most crucial problem of our time, climate change and its consequences, in thinking about how this overwhelming problem offers a rallying point for the insertion of the humanities into practical solutions which require an upending of discrete disciplinary perspectives as well as a bridging of the academic and public divide so that any space between the practice of the humanities and advocacy for social and environmental justice is vastly diminished. It argues for a thorough review of academic reward systems, for a broadening of scholarly definitions, and for a pedagogical focus that demands theory commit to empirical application. Finally, it suggests that we reengage our storytelling prowess with an emphasis on the power of metaphor in order to bolster imaginative response and methodological flexibility that is both cogent and compelling.

Funds of knowledge and identity pedagogies for social justice: international perspectives and praxis from communities, classrooms, and curriculum

Funds of knowledge and identity pedagogies for social justice: international perspectives and praxis from communities, classrooms, and curriculum

‘I can literally change the world’: Longitudinal research on the impacts of the Champions of Caring Ambassadors Leadership Program

Few studies assess the long-term impacts of programs for teenagers designed to foster leadership and public service. Here we contact former participants in one such program, the Champions of Caring Ambassadors Leadership Program, to see how they may have been influenced in adulthood. We find that participants remember specific aspects of the program vividly, and they apply the lessons they learned as Ambassadors in their adult lives. Specifically, they have used the program as a launch pad into other leadership and service roles. They employ the practical and organization skills from the program, and they recall the sense of belonging and the value of meaningful interactions across race, social class, religion, and other social background characteristics. Finally, many saw the lessons learned during their time as Ambassadors a legacy they have incorporated into their adult lives. Many continue two decades later to be engaged in social justice activism.