Nancy Fraser: The social justice dilemma between recognition and redistribution Read the book “What is Social Justice”?

Abstract

The aim of this article is to reconquer the central problematic of Nancy Fraser’s work: « what is social justice? Recognition and redistribution ». How can a policy of recognition reinforce or hinder a policy of redistribution? What are the identity strategies which distance or bring us closer to social equality? Today recognition becomes a central concept in contemporary political debate in such a way that it cannot be neglected within the normative reflection on social justice. Social justice will only be a reality if a strong link is established between two aspects. The recognition policy which insists on the equal respect of all members of the society and the redistribution policy insists on an equitable redistribution of resources. Nancy Fraser proposes a philosophical and moral approach to institutionalize recognition on the concept of equal participation recognition should not be considred as a simple condition of self-realization or of the formation of the individual identity. Recognition should be considred rather as condition of equal participation.