Discussion: The Concepts of Equality and Social Equity

H. George Frederickson, expert in the field of public administration, coined the term “social equity,” which urges public administrators not to view individuals within one environment as the same but instead to view them against a backdrop of social and economic factors before assuming equality.

Ideals of equality and social justice form the basis of political philosophy. However, enforcing principles of equality across society often infringes on the liberal concept of social justice. Tensions within social and political relations have led to the creation of international government and nongovernment organizations that seek to maintain ethical standards of equality throughout the world. These ethical standards allow reasonable individuals to maintain their philosophical differences without jeopardizing the greater good of global society.

In this Discussion, you will compare the concepts of equality and social equity, and the role of public administrators in promoting social equity.

Post an IRA (Insights, Resource, and Application) in the Discussion Board as follows:

Insights: As you read the resources, create bullet points that capture what you have learned about the relationship between equality and social equity, and critical insights you gained from each article. Summarize these key points and insights by using APA format.

Resource: In addition to the assigned readings, share one other resource that amplifies the themes for this week, such as the relationship between equality and social equity. Note a book, article, news items, website, or film with similar ideas, thoughts, and themes. Cite your resource by using APA format, and explain, in no more than three sentences, how this resource is relevant to the assigned readings.

Application: Provide an example from current or past experience (about one paragraph) on a threat to equality or equity. (Multicultural and/or international examples are welcome but not required.) Then, explain a strategy you believe that a public administrator might use to promote equality and equity in this example and explain why you chose this strategy.

Required Readings

Cooper, T. L. (2012). The responsible administrator: An approach to ethics for the administrative role (6th ed.). New York, NY: Jossey-Bass.

Chapter 9, “Applying the Design Approach to Public Administration Ethics” (pp. 243–254)

Frederickson, H. G. (2005). The state of social equity in American public administration. National Civic Review, 94(4), 31–38. 

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Glaser, M. A., Bartley Hildreth, W., McGuire, B. J., & Bannon, C. (2011). Frederickson’s social equity agenda applied: Public support and willingness to pay. Public Integrity, 14(1), 19–37. 

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Hacker, J. S., & Pierson, P. (2010). Winner-take-all politics: Public policy, political organization, and the precipitous rise of top incomes in the United States. Politics and Society, 38(2), 152–204. 

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Required Media

Ted Conferences (Producer). (2011). Frans de Waal: Moral behavior in animals [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/frans_de_waal_do_animals_have_morals

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 17 minutes.

Optional Resources

Gospath, S. (2007). Equality. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Spring 2011 ed.). Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2011/entries/equality/

Fleurbaey, M. (2008). Economics and economic justice. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Summer 2012 ed.). Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2012/entries/economic-justice/