Fraser Flashcards
What is redistribution?
Altering the distribution of economic benefits to make them more equal. It is the remedy for economic injustice.
What is the dilemma that they pose?
Recognition promotes the differences between groups, while redistribution promotes de-differentiation, e.g. eliminating the gendered division of labor.
How does Fraser understand gender and race oppression?
She terms them bivalent collectivities, meaning they are examples of injustice which bridge the political-economic-cultural gap. GO = objectification + unpaid labor, wage gap, etc. RO = Veil + unemployment, racial DoL
What does Fraser mean by affirmation?
This is a type of remedy for social injustice that addresses superficial aspects of the problem. It is concerned with outcomes.
What is transformation?
A type of remedies for injustice which strikes at root causes. Concerned with process.
What is recognition?
This is the remedy for cultural or symbolic injustice. It requires a change in cultural valuation and concomitant laws toward equality.
What are the four different types of
social change that she proposes
Recognition-Affirmative: e.g. gay identity politics or black nationalism
Recognition-Transformative: e.g. deconstruction (queer theory)
Redistribution-Affirmative: means-tested (targeted) welfare or affirmative action
Redistribution-Transformative: collective ownership, universal programs, etc.
Which type(s) of social changes does she prefer?
Fraser prefers a combination of transformative strategies. She argues that they facilitate coalition-building and will be more productive and sustainable in the long term; produces solidarity. Not without problems themselves: they are “far removed” from our experience and imaginary.
What’s wrong with Affirmative strategies?
Affirmative strategies will, she says, result in stigma and resentment and ultimately reproduce the inequalities we want to resolve.
