Social Justice and Conservatism

Can conservatism and social justice co-exist? Absolutely. No one ideology, political party, political system or group, have the end all-be all to what is pure social justice, and who is 'qualified' to oversee or 'distribute' it. Though social justice issues are usually associated with political and ideological Progressives, Liberals, and social workers, even the most conservative institutions (i.e. Roman Catholic Church) have been involved with social justice issues.

What is social justice? There are many definitions. The best that I've seen in subjectively describing is: making sure that people are treated fairly despite race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, economic or educational status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. Historically, groups of people have experienced social injustice through not only individuals and groups, but also institutionally (i.e. slavery, racism, sexism, classicsm). And such injustice often has, and can happen via organizations and governments. So, very simply put, it is the institutions themselves that must be changed. And theoretically speaking, what is a most effective way of doing that? Through laws and government. Progressives, Liberals and social workers for example, have historically been at the forefront of equality and social justice issues in American society, for example. Conservatives however, especially Social Conservatives, historically have often largely resisted social change in American society.

So with people like the Glenn Becks, who boisterously pound their chests against social justice, they demonize social justice as being related to Progressivism, socialism, egalitarianism, and big government. Very simply put, they see the Left as people who want to take what they have worked hard for, and redistribute to those that don't. Perhaps that might be the intent of some, but such a perspective seems myopic and ill-informed at best. But can Conservatism and social justice co-exist?

For decades, Conservatives have been demonized by the Left as anti-poor, racists, homophobic, bigoted. Conservatives have largely been seen as people who stand in the way of economic and social justice, and who largely protect those very institutions that foster discrimination either overtly, covertly, or unconsciously. Historically, Conservatives have stood in the way of economic and social justice (i.e. slavery, institutional racism). But being a Conservative doesn't have to mean being anti-social justice. It's just that conservatism can have a different approach and ideology in addressing social justice issues.

To be fair, there is a difference in being fiscally conservative, and socially conservative. Fiscal Conservatives support lower levels of public spending, lower taxes and lower government debt. Fiscal Conservatives oppose government deficits and government debt, and support balanced budgets. They have the ideology that the smaller and more lean institutions, including governments are, the more efficient that they will be able to serve their constituents, and help others to help themselves, in a faster way. So, Fiscal Conservatives would most likely support family and friends, the religious and/or local community, state and then federal government, in that order, to help when people need assistance for whatever means. Social Conservatives often support 'traditional' social values (i.e. traditional marriage, pro-life), but are not always fiscally conservative.

As a Fiscal Conservative, government is not the answer. The private industry is not the only answer either. In addressing social justice issues, poverty for example, it should be a combination of the private industry, government, and the community as a whole. No one entity has the end all-be all answer to issues of poverty. Are there institutional reasons for why poverty continues to exist in the U.S. for example, or why there continues to be a cycle of poverty? Absolutely. But there are also non-institutional, more individual reasons as well.

In continuing with poverty as an example, though Welfare programs had and have good intentions, and can be good if used for the proper purposes, Fiscal Conservatives argue that such programs have unfortunately done much damage to the African-American community (dependence), and has greatly been abused for decades. Fiscal Conservatives are not against any form of Welfare or government assistance, they just want better accountability. I would argue that some on the Left want that accountability as well. Fiscal Conservatives tend to be more assertive and vocal about it.

Fiscal Conservatives do not support increased and exanded taxes to help with economic, and institutional-economic equality. They instead support breaking down those bureacracies that they believe are barriers, to people pursuing and achieving economic stability and success. To Fiscal Conservatives, they are not against any and all taxes. They believe that the more money a person is able to keep what they earn, the more choice that they will have in spending it, and the more that they will be able to pay their bills, and support their family.

What is wrong with religious institutions assiting with poverty programs, even with state and federal grants, as long as everyone in need and qualifies, can be served? What would life be like in communities, if private industry took more interest (but were not forced or mandated), in conjunction with government, in building schools and fundraising, for example? Why should that be the sole responsibility of government? Isn't private industry part of the community as well? The point is that it should be the responsibility of everyone to address poverty, not just the government, or the individual. Businesses and coroporation have an obligation to the community for which they reside, just as any individual or resident.

In Roman Catholic social teaching, there is a strong belief in the inherent dignity of the human person (http://www.osjspm.org/major_themes.aspx). Every person must be treated with respect, regardless of who they are. Is this a Conservative or Leftist issue? This is at the core of addressing any social justice issues: the dignity of the individual, in relation to any system (i.e. government, community, organizations, institutions). As a Roman Catholic Fiscal Conservative, every person has a right to food, shelter and clothing, employment, health care (not health insurance), and education. Leftists would most likely agree (except regarding health insurance). Where I might differ from Progressives, is how to go about achieving those goals.

And that is the main point of the article. Poverty, poor education, employment discrimination, health care, immigration, etc., are all social justice issues. Conservatives also care about these issues. Conservatives also care about human dignity, justice and fairness, just as much as anyone. Conservatives just have a different way of articulating and addressing those issues.

Shabazz Wilson