Chapter 4 of the Class 11 Political Science book is all about social justice—a concept that is not only theoretical but very relevant in our everyday lives. This chapter helps students understand what fairness in society really means, how justice is different from charity, and why different groups need different kinds of support. The chapter covers ideas of equal treatment, removal of discrimination, and how rights and opportunities can be distributed in a fair way.
I chose to write about this chapter because most of us hear the term “justice” in news, movies, and even in personal situations, but we don’t really understand what social justice actually involves. This chapter explains it in a clear and practical way. It makes you think about things like economic inequality, caste-based injustice, and gender bias not just as problems but as issues that need solutions based on values. For students preparing for exams or anyone trying to understand how a fair society works, this chapter gives a strong base. And personally, I feel that once we start thinking seriously about fairness in everyday life, it changes how we treat others and what we expect from our system.
Main Concepts of Social Justice in Chapter 4
This chapter takes a values-based approach to explaining what a just society should look like. It answers big questions like who deserves what and how to make society more equal and fair.
1. What is Social Justice?
- Social justice means ensuring fair treatment and equal access to rights and opportunities
- It focuses on removing disadvantages caused by caste, gender, poverty, and other inequalities
- It believes that society must actively work to support the weaker sections
2. Difference Between Justice and Charity
- Charity is optional and based on goodwill
- Justice is a duty and is based on fairness and rights
- For example, giving a poor student free books is charity, but ensuring free education is justice
3. Distribution of Resources
- One of the main concerns of social justice is how wealth, education, and opportunities are shared
- Three main views discussed in the chapter:
| Theory | Focus | Main Thinkers |
|---|---|---|
| Libertarianism | Individual freedom | Robert Nozick |
| Marxism | Equality through common ownership | Karl Marx |
| Rawlsian Justice | Fairness and equal opportunity | John Rawls |
The book mainly supports Rawls’ view that justice means helping the least advantaged in society
4. Affirmative Action and Reservations
- The chapter explains why certain policies like reservations are needed
- Affirmative action is not unfair to others, but necessary to balance centuries of injustice
- Example: SC/ST/OBC reservations in jobs and education
5. Equality vs Equity
- Equality is giving everyone the same
- Equity is giving according to their need and situation
- A simple example: giving the same size ladder to people of different heights is equality, giving the right size ladder so all can reach the top is equity
6. Social Justice in Indian Context
- Indian Constitution supports social justice through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
- Laws like Right to Education, MNREGA, and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act are examples of justice in action
- Social reformers like B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and Savitribai Phule worked hard to promote justice in caste and gender
Real-Life Relevance
Even today, many children do not get access to schools because of poverty or gender discrimination. Many people are forced into low-paid jobs because of their caste. Women face pay gaps and job restrictions. Understanding social justice helps in recognising these issues and finding fair ways to deal with them.
Download NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 PDF
If you want to revise this chapter or prepare short notes, it’s best to keep the original NCERT PDF with you. It’s available for free on the official NCERT website.
Click here to download NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4: Social Justice PDF
