Chapter 8 - No justice in the world Flashcards
summary
The human capability to conceive imagined orders has been instrumental in enabling us to interact with large groups of people and defy biological limitations. However, these imagined orders, from the Code of Hammurabi to the American Declaration of Independence, are inherently discriminatory, dividing people into superiors, commoners, and slaves, or defining rights based on gender or racial identity. For instance, the American Declaration professed that “all men are created equal,” yet many of the drafters were slaveholders, implicitly excluding people of African origin from the notion of “men.”
Today, while modern societies have acknowledged that differences in skin color do not define our rights or worth, a glaring divide persists between the rich and the poor. Wealth, according to capitalist beliefs, is seen as an equalizer, a chance-based game open to all. In reality, however, wealth tends to be hereditary - the rich remain rich, and the poor stay poor.
Every society believes its hierarchies are justified and superior to those of others, often employing pseudoscience to cement their claims, such as white supremacists asserting genetic superiority. Hierarchies, though discriminatory, do serve a purpose by providing guidelines on how individuals interact with each other. For example, a florist might judge a potential customer’s purchasing power based on their appearance or behavior, allowing them to allocate their time and resources effectively.
While natural abilities can create divisions, their development and manifestation are heavily influenced by social categories. Two individuals with identical potential but born into different socio-economic classes will have vastly different opportunities to develop their talents. Achieving success often means surmounting disproportionate challenges depending on one’s social standing.
Hierarchies, typically born out of accidental historical events, are perpetuated by individuals benefiting from them. The caste system in India, for instance, was implemented by Indo-Aryan invaders to preserve their power and keep the local population divided. Similarly, racial discrimination in America originated due to economic reasons - the British colonists needed labor for their plantations and found it economically viable to import slaves from Africa. To justify their practices, they propagated myths about the supposed biological inferiority of Africans. When slavery was abolished, former slaves found themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, further cementing their inferior social status.
Understanding history is vital to break such destructive cycles, given they are deeply rooted in accidental occurrences, vested interests, and mythical fabrications rather than biology. This underscores why certain groups, despite being biologically similar, can remain victimized across generations.
The final section, “He and She,” examines the reasons for the persistence of patriarchal societies and men’s predominance in power positions. Physical strength, often touted as the differentiator, is a weak argument as many men in power aren’t particularly strong. The notion of aggression doesn’t hold either; many powerful men know how to strategize and cooperate rather than resort to brute force. Childbearing is another proposed reason, with theories suggesting that more submissive women who sought men’s help were more successful in reproducing, leading to today’s gender norms.
However, such explanations oversimplify the complexities of gender roles. Women, just like men, can be ambitious and abuse power, albeit their methods might lean more towards the psychological. The persistence of patriarchal societies is more likely the result of a myriad of social, cultural, and historical factors. For instance, historically, men have been the primary warriors and hunters, roles that naturally lend themselves to leadership positions. Additionally, societal norms and expectations often discourage women from pursuing positions of power, perpetuating the status quo.
In sum, the social structures and hierarchies we see today are not a product of innate biological differences but complex historical, societal, and economic processes. Understanding this is key to addressing systemic inequalities and striving for a more just world.
5 key point list
Imagined orders developed by humans, from ancient codes to modern laws, have systematically divided society into different hierarchical categories based on socio-economic status, race, or gender, leading to inherent discrimination and unequal opportunities.
Despite biological similarities, wealth gaps persist, with the rich typically remaining rich and the poor staying poor. This disparity is often justified in capitalist societies, with wealth inaccurately portrayed as a random game of chance.
Hierarchies, while discriminatory, serve a functional purpose by guiding interpersonal interactions. However, the opportunities for individuals to develop and utilize their talents can be heavily influenced by their social standing.
The caste system in India and racial discrimination in America exemplify how hierarchies can originate from historical events and be perpetuated through the generation for the benefit of the ruling class.
The dominance of men in positions of power in patriarchal societies cannot be solely attributed to physical strength, aggression, or childbearing. It’s a complex interplay of historical, societal, and cultural factors.
Q1: What is the role of imagined orders in society?
A1: Imagined orders, from ancient codes to modern laws, systematically divide society into different hierarchical categories, leading to inherent discrimination and unequal opportunities.
Q2: How is wealth inequality justified in capitalist societies?
A2: In capitalist societies, wealth inequality is often justified by portraying wealth as a game of chance that everyone can participate in equally. However, in reality, wealth tends to be hereditary, with the rich typically remaining rich and the poor staying poor.
Q3: Why are hierarchies important, and how do they influence opportunities?
A3: Hierarchies, while discriminatory, guide interpersonal interactions and decision-making. However, they also heavily influence the opportunities for individuals to develop and utilize their talents, often leading to unequal outcomes based on one’s social standing.
Q4: How did the caste system in India and racial discrimination in America originate and persist?
A4: The caste system in India originated from the Indo-Aryan invasion, serving as a strategy to preserve power and keep the local population divided. Racial discrimination in America started due to economic reasons when British colonists needed labor for their plantations and found it viable to import slaves from Africa. To justify their practices, myths about the supposed biological inferiority of Africans were propagated. These systems persisted due to vested interests and the propagation of these myths.
Q5: What factors contribute to the dominance of men in positions of power in patriarchal societies?
A5: The dominance of men in positions of power in patriarchal societies is a result of a complex interplay of historical, societal, and cultural factors, rather than solely attributable to physical strength, aggression, or childbearing roles.
Q1: How did the Code of Hammurabi reflect societal hierarchy in ancient times?
A1: The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal systems, categorized society into superiors, commoners, and slaves, representing a structured social hierarchy.
Q2: How does societal hierarchy impact the development and utilization of talent?
A2: Societal hierarchy significantly impacts the opportunities for individuals to nurture and apply their talents. Those in higher social strata have more access to resources, education, and opportunities, allowing them to fully develop their skills, while those in lower strata may not have the same advantages.
Q3: How does the caste system in India illustrate the historical development of hierarchies?
A3: The caste system in India, which emerged following the Indo-Aryan invasion, showcases how hierarchies can be instituted to maintain power and control, dividing society into various castes and discouraging intermingling, thereby ensuring the invaders’ minority rule.
Q4: What historical events led to racial discrimination in America, and how has it perpetuated?
A4: Racial discrimination in America began when British colonists needed labor for their plantations and chose to import slaves from Africa, where an established slave market existed. To rationalize their actions, they propagated myths about Africans’ supposed biological inferiority. After slavery was abolished, these socio-economic disparities continued to exist and perpetuate due to structural and systemic racism.
Q5: Discuss the factors contributing to the prevalence of men in power positions in patriarchal societies.
A5: Men’s dominance in power positions in patriarchal societies is not strictly linked to physical strength or aggression. It is instead a complex mix of societal norms, cultural expectations, and historical circumstances. Even factors like the traditionally submissive role of women, which might have had reproductive advantages in early human societies, could have contributed to this power imbalance.
