A Tale Of Two Systems: Why Indias Approach To Social Justice Excels
- IJLLR Journal
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Melanie Veera Saldanha, B.B.A L.L.B. (Hons), VIT Chennai
Mr. Arun D Raj, Assistant Professor, VIT Chennai
1. ABSTRACT
Around the world, differences in race have severe implications for socioeconomic status and politics. This essay analyses the case of racial inequalities in India and the US and argues that India’s reservation policy is more effective in mitigating social injustice. Discrimination based on caste is an age-old issue in India. The government has instituted a legally mandated quota system for the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Unlike American policy, India’s system provides guaranteed quotas in politics, employment, and education which enhances representation and helps marginalized sections to move up the social ladder. A comparison analysis reveals that while India has a legally guaranteed proactive reservation policy, the United States has a passive strategy that is open to judicial review and capricious enforcement. Both systems have their flaws, yet India’s has been more effective in narrowing the socio-economic gaps. The analysis shows that India’s reservation system fills the gaps of social mobility and historical injustices more efficiently than other systems. While other countries including the US have some issues, they could learn a great deal from India regarding socially just legislation. It can gain insights from India’s unique way of formulating socially equitable legislation. The United States might incorporate certain features of India's approach to implement more definitive changes in providing greater equity to racial minorities. This research contributes toward social justice issues by evaluating different mechanisms and their effectiveness in reducing systematic discrimination.
