Social Justice Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Justice, like love, is something people feel passionate about even if it is hard to define in words. In societies across history, the idea of justice has always been central. It deals with how duties, resources, and opportunities are distributed among people and forms the foundation of political discussions and laws. This chapter helps you understand different principles and theories about justice, how they are applied in modern-day life, and why justice is important for a well-ordered society.

Justice has been defined differently in different cultures. In ancient India, for example, justice was connected to the principle of dharma, and kings were expected to uphold it. Confucius in China connected justice with rewarding virtue and punishing wrongdoers. In Greece, Plato explored why justice is necessary, questioning whether it is better to be just or unjust, especially when unjust action seems to bring more rewards. Socrates argued that true justice is about the overall well-being of all people, not only doing good to friends.

The idea that justice means “giving each person his due” has persisted from Plato’s time. Over time, society’s definition of what is ‘due’ to each person has changed. Today, it is understood as respecting the dignity of all human beings, as Immanuel Kant suggested. Every person deserves opportunities to develop talents and pursue personal goals, making equal consideration for all essential.

Justice is guided by three main principles: treating equals equally, rewarding proportionately, and recognizing special needs. Let’s see what each means.

• Equal Treatment for Equals: In modern societies, people generally agree that everyone deserves equal rights, such as the right to life, liberty, property, voting, and fair opportunities. Justice demands that individuals are not discriminated against by class, caste, race, or gender. For instance, two people doing the same work should get the same reward, regardless of their background.
• Proportionate Justice: While equality is important, sometimes giving everyone the same reward is not fair. For example, everyone in a class getting equal marks would ignore individual effort. Therefore, people should be rewarded in proportion to their skills, effort, or risk involved in their work. Jobs that need special skills or are dangerous, like mining or policing, may deserve higher rewards.
• Recognition of Special Needs: Justice also means accounting for specific disadvantages. People facing disabilities, lack of education, or social discrimination might need extra support. This is why governments sometimes reserve jobs or set quotas (like for Scheduled Castes/Tribes in India) or allow more exam time for students with disabilities.

Balancing these principles is challenging. If a country only follows strict equality, deserving individuals may feel unrewarded. If merit is the only factor, marginalized communities could be left behind. Governments need to blend these principles to achieve true social justice.

Distributive justice deals with the fair allocation of resources and opportunities across a society. Fairness is not just about treating everyone equally under the law but ensuring a basic standard of living for everyone. This means some redistribution may be necessary to reduce sharp economic or social inequalities. Examples include abolishing untouchability, land reforms, or reserving education seats for disadvantaged groups.

The debate over distribution often leads to strong disagreements. Some believe affirmative steps like reservations help create fairness, while others argue they may create new unfairness. This debate is an important part of a democratic society and is addressed through discussing various theories of justice.

John Rawls proposes that fair laws are possible if people decide rules without knowing their own future position in society. This is called the ‘veil of ignorance’. If no one knows if they will be rich, poor, or face any disadvantage, they are likely to choose rules that protect the interests of the worst-off. This approach ensures people act rationally in self-interest yet support policies benefiting everyone.

Rawls’ theory emphasizes that fairness can result from rational thinking, not just moral feelings or generosity. Rules made using this approach would try to provide education, health, and opportunities to all, not only to the privileged. Laws formed this way would gain wider acceptance and seem more just.

Justice does not mean making everyone’s lives identical. However, when the gap between rich and poor becomes extreme, and the poor have no chance for improvement, social justice is lacking. Basic needs such as enough food, clean water, shelter, education, and a minimum wage are considered essentials that a just society and its government should provide.

Estimating these minimum needs can be done by various international and national bodies like the World Health Organisation and governments. In India, ensuring these conditions for all, especially given the scale of poverty, is a big challenge and often discussed in politics and policymaking.

There are two major approaches to achieving social justice. Supporters of the free market believe that people should be free to compete, make contracts, and own property. They argue that rewarding merit through the market system is fair and gives people more options. However, markets are not always fair, especially for the poor or people in remote areas, as private businesses prioritize profit, sometimes neglecting the needs of the disadvantaged.

On the other hand, some argue that the state should step in to ensure basic facilities for everyone, like good schools, health care, and a fair minimum wage. Without such intervention, justice may only favor those who are already privileged. Most societies find a balance between both approaches—allowing markets but expecting the government to provide for essential needs.

Disagreements over justice are normal and even healthy in a democracy. They encourage open discussions and help people better understand different viewpoints. Through debate and compromise, societies try to reach agreements about the best path to justice.

• Justice includes treating equals equally, rewarding different efforts proportionately, and meeting the special needs of the disadvantaged.
• Practical examples include extra exam time for disabled students and reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
• Rawls’ veil of ignorance is a tool for deciding fair social arrangements without personal bias.
• Both free market and state support have roles in achieving fairness; effective justice blends these approaches.

A just society strives to reduce sharp inequalities and ensures that all members have a fair opportunity to grow and participate. By understanding different approaches and the needs of people, governments and citizens can work toward creating a truly just and fair social order.

Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Notes – Social Justice: Quick Summary and Key Principles

These Class 11 Political Science notes on Social Justice cover all major exam concepts, including Rawls’ theory, distributive justice, and the principles behind social fairness. Reviewing these points will help you organize answers for NCERT-based questions and improve understanding of modern political ideas. Use these Social Justice revision notes to refresh the meaning, types, and debates around justice.

By focusing on clear examples and concise theory, these notes help students remember key details for quick revision before exams. They also clarify how justice principles apply to real-life situations, making difficult topics easier to grasp. Rely on these Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 summary notes for a smooth and effective study experience.