Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce by mentioning the link between social justice and economic empowerment
• Delve into economic empowerment as a prerequisite for social justice
• Mention key arguments featuring social justice as a catalyst for economic empowerment
• Conclude in a balanced manner.

Introduction

Social justice and economic empowerment are inextricably linked concepts that lie at the heart of efforts to alleviate poverty and promote inclusive development.

• The statement "Social justice cannot be achieved without economic empowerment" encapsulates the notion that addressing economic disparities and providing opportunities for economic self-sufficiency are crucial steps towards realizing social equality and justice.

Economic Empowerment as a Prerequisite for Social Justice:

• Poverty as a Barrier to Social Inclusion: Poverty often leads to exclusion from education, healthcare, and other essential services.
  • Economic empowerment through poverty alleviation programs can provide access to these services, fostering social inclusion and equality.
  • Example: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has provided employment opportunities and income security to rural households, enabling them to access basic necessities.
• Enabling Participation and Agency: Poverty can limit an individual's ability to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
  • Economic empowerment through skill development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion can enhance agency and participation in societal processes.
  • Example: The Self-Help Group (SHG) movement has empowered women economically, enabling them to have a voice in household and community decisions.
• Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty: Poverty can perpetuate itself across generations, hindering social mobility and exacerbating inequalities.
  • Economic empowerment programs that focus on education, vocational training, and asset creation can break this cycle and promote social justice for future generations.
  • Example: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana provides a secure and attractive investment option for parents to invest in their daughters' future, breaking the cycle of financial insecurity and dependence.

Social Justice as a Catalyst for Economic Empowerment:

• Addressing Systemic Inequalities: Policies and programs that promote inclusivity and address discrimination can open pathways for economic empowerment.
  • Example: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act aims to protect the rights of marginalized communities and create an enabling environment for their economic progress.
• Promoting Inclusive Development: Social justice principles emphasize the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups in development processes.
  • Inclusive development approaches can create economic opportunities and ensure equitable access to resources and services.
  • Example: The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) has facilitated the identification of economically disadvantaged households for targeted poverty alleviation programs.
• Building Human Capabilities: Social justice initiatives focus on improved human capabilities can lead to better economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.
  • Example: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program aims to improve the health, nutrition, and early childhood education of children from disadvantaged communities, laying the foundation for their future economic empowerment.

Conclusion

In this way, there is a synergistic relationship between social justice and economic empowerment. By addressing intersectional inequalities and promoting sustainable livelihoods, India can create a virtuous cycle of inclusive growth and social transformation and accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).