Bending Towards Justice: Progress and Societal Narratives

Throughout history, changing societal narratives have played important roles in fostering social change, bringing about progress. However, historical progress is not linear; instead, it is a paradoxical concept involving social advancements, regressions, and ongoing struggles for justice and equality. A myriad of historical and contemporary movements for social justice have contributed to the complex path towards addressing the persistent inequalities and challenges faced by marginalized groups worldwide. Despite these attempts, questions arise regarding the extent to which progress has been realized and whether the ideals of progress envisioned by early theorists align with contemporary realities. This paper delves into case studies of numerous significant global movements, including feminism, anti-racism, Indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and strides toward liberal democracy, to assess how progress is understood and achieved. It will analyze progress as a dominant narrative of history, examine its various implications, and investigate how it correlates with the idea of democracy.