Social Justice
Social Justice
- Janet L. FinnJanet L. FinnUniversity of Montana
- and Maxine JacobsonMaxine JacobsonPRAXIS - Building Knowledge for Action
Summary
This entry examines the concept of social justice and its significance as a core value of social work. Diverse conceptualizations of social justice and their historical and philosophical underpinnings are examined. The influence of John Rawls' perspectives on social justice is addressed as are alternative conceptualizations, such as the capabilities perspective. The roots of social justice are traced through social work history, from the Settlement House Movement to the Rank and Film Movement, Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary struggles in the context of globalization. Challenges for social justice-oriented practice in the 21st century are address. The discussion concludes with concrete example of ways in which social workers are translating principles of social justice into concrete practices.
Keywords
Subjects
- Criminal Justice
- Gender and Sexuality
- Policy and Advocacy
- Poverty
- Social Justice and Human Rights
