Current Social Justice Issue

Answer

Nancy Fraser’s Tripartite Model of Social Justice to Address Discrimination against Refugees

Current Social Justice Issue

Apart from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and migrants are the other groups of people who are regularly facde discrimination in Australia. In specific, the refugees are told that they cannot be trusted and that they are lazy. Moreover, many refugees are distinguished based on their race as their experiences are based on both when they came to the country and where they came from (Dalzell, 2017). Although Australians are likely to tolerate refugees from Italy and Greece, they have negative attitudes towards those from the Middle East and African countries. The negative stereotypes have resulted in prejudice against refugees in the country.

Relation of Social Justice Issue to Ideology

Nancy Fraser (1996) believes that social justice requires various social arrangements which can necessitate all people to participate and have an equal and fair footing in social life in what is termed as participatory parity. Such a model relates to the discrimination towards the refugees. For instance, the recognition and misrecognition tenet of the tripartite model demonstrates why discrimination against refugees arises from the traditional hierarchies of cultural value in Australia. In specific, it is highly held that people of colour, especially those from the Middle East and Africa are lesser and thus they are depreciated (Dalzell, 2017). Misrecognition of the refugees is pegged on the fact that the citizens are prevented from interacting as peers with refugees because of those entrenched hierarchies of cultural value. In Australian society, there is no equal respect for all the participants and neither is there equal opportunity for the achievement of social esteem by the refugees.

The principle of redistribution and maldistribution discussed by Fraser relates well with the social justice issue of discrimination as faced by the refugees. In specific, Fraser (1996) states that people are prevented from participating as equals due to economic structures which act as impediments as they deny them the resources they required. In such a case, refugees are discriminated due to Australia’s social structures which make them lesser and unable to acquire economic resources which can empower them (Hartlep, 2009). The economic dimensions of the Australian society; especially on aspects of education and healthcare are also crucial issues which increase cases of discrimination. Finally, the third tenet of Fraser (1996)’s model is that of representation and misrepresentation. In such a case, the failure of refugees to have people who can adequately represent them can be a causative factor towards their discrimination.

The Capacity of Ideology to Deliver Social Justice

The tripartite model of recognition, representation, and distribution developed by Fraser (1996)’s can be effective in delivering social justice to the refugees residing in Australia; especially on the issue of discrimination. In specific, the model states that one of the reasons why some people in the society are treated unequally and with disrespect is the entrenched and institutionalised hierarchies of cultural value (Fraser, 1996). Using such a concept can lead to the adoption of various mechanisms to recognise the minority, in specific, programs can be devised to increase the recognition of refugees and increase their cultural value which can lead to equal respect and equal opportunity for their attainment of social esteem. For instance. In erased sensitisations can be used in ensuring that the refugees are recognised and that the social struggles and hardships that they experience and thus participate as equals in social matters (Houston, 2016). Empowering the refugees can ensure that they are treated equally and valued in society.

Using the concept of representation can be vital and effective in the reduction of discrimination. Notably, according to Fraser (1996), one of the reasons for discrimination and unfair treatment is the wrongful denial of some people of the opportunity to participate as equals in social interaction. However, setting up robust bodies/organisations/systems which represent the refugees can be vital in ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed (Houston, 2016).  Additionally, a fair system can be devised to make sure that social justice claims made by the refugees are decided impartially. Moreover, an equal distribution of resources which is a concept in Fraser (1996)’s model can be an essential and effective way to deliver social justice to the refugees. In specific, the economic and health resources should be distributed to the refugees via government programs to address some of the hardships which have been encountered. As such, the tripartite model proposed by Fraser can be effective in addressing discrimination and delivery of social justice for refugees.