Acceptability and legitimacy of inequalities

Abstract

In the study of distributive issues, it is often presupposed that an equal distribution of benefi ts does not stand in need of justifi cation, whereas any unequal distribution calls for justifi cation if it is to be implemented. But the very fact of relying on equality to back social or political projects has its specifi c problems (normative theoretical problems and practical problems of justifi cation). Confronted with this challenge, we try and distinguish several sorts of negative judgments which follow from a feeling or diagnostic of inequality. We thereby attempt to identify the conditions for the acceptability, from the point of view of social agents, of unequal distributions. Correlatively, we try to show that something is to be gained, when it comes to identifying the inequalities which are relevant for individuals, if we turn away from uniform views of unequal treatment, and recognize instead that signifi cantly “equal” treatment is closely connected with possibly contrasted social ways of life.

Key words: collective action , equity, inequality, feelings of justice, justifi cation, norms, social justice.