THE PHILOSOPHY OF EQUITY: RETHINKING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE IN POST-PANDEMIC RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated prevalent economic inequalities and social injustices that are unmasked vulnerabilities in global and local systems. This paper discusses the philosophy of equity as a lens towards understanding the underlying structural problems that exacerbated these crises, and the post-pandemic reconstruction of our societies. It starts out by defining key terms like economic inequality and social justice, but then jumps to discussing the foundational ideas and theories of equity, underscoring fairness, redistribution and the dismantling of structural barriers to opportunity. Reading: Pandemic and Economic Disparities Analyze the pandemic’s impact on economic disparities, focusing on how vulnerable populations faced disproportionate challenges. Moreover, the paper delves deeper into how the economic systems both have to be rethought in a post-pandemic world, emphasizing the role of government, markets, and other social institutions to build a more fair society. We explore ethical frameworks for this post-pandemic social justice using various moral philosophies including utilitarianism, Rawlsian justice and capabilities theory, and more. This is complemented by case studies from around the country and across the world of equity-based responses in practice. Ending the paper, it critically assesses the problems and critiques with regards to equity-based approaches, proposing measures for future economic justice and social inclusion policies in a post-COVID-19 society.