Social and Economic equality Flashcards
What did King’s focus move to after the political reforms?
The great material disadvantages faced by Black people compared to White Americans such as housing, employment, education, wealth & income.
King was very interested in the structural sources of material disadvantage faced by Black and White people and how this intersected with racism.
How did King argue a just and equal society could be achieved?
Society requires structural changes in employment and the broader economy.
What are King’s policy ideas for full employment?
Should cater for Black people who experienced inter-generational disadvantage.
Understand there has been educational, skill, and social exclusion.
Required employment not be based on competitive qualification or rigorous performance management as many remain at a disadvantage.
Why does King argue for a minimum wage?
Minimum wage allows for dignity.
Also King objected to poverty as it could be debilitating and many of the problems facing Black communities at the time stemmed from material disadvantages.
Did King argue for equality?
Not quite, King argued for a sufficient level of well-being for all Americans.
Inequalities above a sufficient level were permissible.
But King also argued that inequality was bad?
Why did King argue against inequality?
The social effects of inequality are destabilising in a democratic society.
High levels of material differences as the product of injustice, lead to resentment which means people stop recognising themselves as one united community.
Are King’s thoughts on inequality confusing?
Yes and no.
King had some commitment to material equality but not total material equality as he thought some disparities were acceptable.
But this line of thinking is somewhat limited due to his assassination
