Identity Politics and Social Justice

Abstract The modern concept of justice is different from the traditional concept. The traditional concept of justice lay emphasis on the just man. It was primarily concerned with the virtues which enhance the moral worth of a man. It consisted in the performance of the duties attached to his status determined by the prevalent law, social customs and the mode of thought. An example of the traditional approach to the problem of justice is given by Plato's theory of justice which prescribed the duties of different citizens and required them to develop virtues befitting those duties. The traditional view insisted on the individual conforming to a pre-conceived image of society. The relationship between political power, social justice and equality is multi-dimensional. Political power, defined as the ability of individuals or groups to influence or control the policies, actions, and affairs of a state or community, plays a significant role in shaping social justice and equality. There are several ways in which political power impacts social justice and equality: