A society that has more justice needs less charity.

 

Some forms of content on the internet can have a profound impact on us. They force us to think, to feel.  The very common video advertisements that circulate for crowdfunding is one such form of content. In such a video, one can see the crying parents of a child suffering from a chronic illness. One can sense the desperation in their ask for monetary help to be able to save their kid's life. 

Advertisements like these should bring us to ask a very pertinent question. Would a society where people have justice, so often take recourse to such means to raise funds needed for healthcare? Means that depends on the largesse of the viewers to save children's lives? 

Certainly not.  A society which is just would ensure that people are treated with dignity. It would ensure people have equitable access to resources and are not condemned to a life of dependence on charity. It would be a gross violation of one's right to life if they are compelled to depend on someone's charity for fulfilling their basic needs of life. When one lives in a society where justice prevails, their dependence on charitable help from others would naturally reduce. This essay examines this given statement in detail. 

History is replete with examples where focus on justice and welfare on the part of the rulers led to an empowered citizenry- a citizenry no longer dependent on alms to live a dignified life. Emperor Ashoka was one such leader. His emphasis on justice, social welfare, and ethical governance was aimed at reducing the need for acts of charity  among his people. 

The imperial Cholas in the medieval period were also known for their just administration, fair taxation, and concern for welfare of people. Their fair policies ensured that people have enough means of livelihood so as to not rely on erratic donations from the wealthy. 

Further in India's history, Gandhiji emphasised on ensuring self reliance, of both individuals and the nation. This self reliance cannot come about unless one enjoys equal access to resources, opportunities and justice. Without these, one is unlikely to live a free and dignified life.

A society full of injustices will naturally need more acts of charity because the disadvantaged will not be empowered to enjoy their rights on their own.

The case of economic inequalities is a perfect illustration of what absence of justice does. Economic injustice, characterised by unjust distribution and concentration of resources, force the poor to depend on donations. In India, it is not uncommon to see large beautiful bungalows standing side by side urban slums. The rich from these bungalows often exhibit their 'philanthropic' nature towards the slum dwellers. But they do so while continuing to amass even greater wealth at the expense of others. 

Acts of charity are also not unheard of in societies with political injustices. When people are not consulted in decision making and their interests are not represented in the governance, it leads to rise in popular resentment. And the most favoured way by politicians to overcome this resentment closer to elections is to offer 'freebies'- as charity to the voters. If the populace is empowered within a just society, however, it will not be enticed by such acts of the political parties. 

The women in our unjust and unsafe societies are also often forced to depend on others throughout their lives. It is not uncommon for women to rely on the charity aka 'kindness' of their brothers/fathers in offering them pick-and-drop services everytime they have to travel at night. This and other forms of social injustices inflicted on women render them powerless. They are seen as objects to be protected and not humans with a sense of agency. This shows that this reliance on charitable acts does not do good to anyone. 

Similar is the case for people with physical disabilities. Justice for them entails disabled- friendly public infrastructure as well as opportunities for work. But when a society fails to provide these basic necessities to them, they are forced to become recipients of help, of charity, and uncalled for sympathy. 

The importance of justice can also be extended to the experience of indigenous tribes all over the world, including India. The curious case of 12 Gram Sabhas from the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha is a case in point of the power of justice well served. Empowered by the SC, these local bodies were able to successfully resist efforts by a large, powerful mining company to displace them. They were able to assert their rights and retain ownership of their land without depending on the namesake compensation from a private company. 

The experience of countries like Finland and Denmark also provide us with clear evidence of how the need of individual charity can reduce when justice prevails. These societies have adequate social safety nets, fair administrative policies, etc- all of which ensure that their people live stable, independent lives. 

Therefore, if people in a society are provided equal opportunities, rights, and access, they will be empowered to fend for themselves. It emboldens them to further the cause of justice in the world. But if the opposite is the case, it can be disastrous for the society as a whole. At a psychological level, being dependent on constant help/support for even basic needs can induce a sense of learned helplessness among victims of injustice. How can they then be expected to ask for their rights and live a dignified life? 

In acknowledging the perils of a people dependent on charity due to injustices, it is also important to recognize that charity can be a noble personal virtue. In the imperfect world that we live in, charity can help bridge the gap between the needs of the many and the capacity of the state. But the question is: To what extent can we  let charity compensate for the absence of justice? Until when can we let children from poor families depend on the largesse of random strangers on the internet for their healthcare needs? 

As Amartya Sen rightly said "Charity can be no substitute for justice withheld."