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Reconciling Integration and Fairness

Political Theory
Public Policy
Social Justice
Katarina Fragoso
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
Katarina Fragoso
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt

Abstract

How should we achieve socio-economic justice in cities? Political Philosophers have debated this question from the perspective of residential segregation according to two main theses. One is the integrationist proposal, supported by Elizabeth Anderson, which suggests that socio-economic justice should be achieved by a public policy capable of reallocating the poor to wealthier neighbourhoods. The second is the resourcist account, advocated by Tommie Shelby, which posits that socio-economic justice should not be realised by moving people around the city, but rather via cash-transfer programmes. However, in this paper, I question both solutions by reviewing our understanding of a fair parameter for an anti-segregation policy. First, I look at the way in which the structural-historical framework contributes to formulating an empowerment principle of justice. In doing so, I bring to the fore a diagnosis of what is morally problematic when a public policy is not sensitive to intersectional social injustices, as well as to social norms that negatively constrain disadvantaged group’s interaction with others. Second, and relatedly, I contend that neither the residential integrationist proposal nor the resourcist accounts consider (or are not aware of) disadvantaged groups’ social perspective and active role in the process of achieving justice in the cities. Indeed, I argue that both violate the empowerment principle. However, this is not a reason to reject integrationist policies altogether. I explore that a fair integration, which redistributes the power to disadvantaged groups to influence decisions that affect their lives, is a route to achieving socio-economic justice in cities. Particularly, I argue that one promising way to operationalise this is through what I call ‘political integration’, which stresses that the full participation of disadvantaged groups is necessary in the policy-making decisions for transforming unjust past urban planning and social hierarchies.