Robbins 1
Octavius Robbins
Dr. Arxer
Social Policy
23 January 2024
Social Justice: World Views
I am faced with a conundrum as I differentiate the veracity between social justice
preambles and deeds across the modern world today. Since the early 19th century, social justice
has become the bedrock of modern civilization (Hill, 2019), and the ideology has not deterred
much from its original inception. However, over time its honor and esteem has become
meretricious to some and futile to a generous portion of the vulnerable groups that it vows to
protect (Cox and Edwards, 2022). Moreover, in this writing I will compare what social justice
means, with a gathering of differences and similarities between the three countries, America,
Ethiopia, and Europe.
As we inspect The National Association of Social Workers code of ethics, an American based
professional membership organization backed by the American Government, we can begin to see
what social justice is and how it is seen in America. The Association states, social workers
promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used
inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social
workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination,
oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. This statement implies that there are
indeed disparities and Strife but also a yearn to correct it. This is unlike in Ethiopia, a country
Robbins 2
that has never had any type of noted social justice until after the after the downfall of the Derg
regime in 1991.
The Organization for Social Development (OSD) founded in September 2003 as
Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia (OSJE), mirrors that of America in many ways. The
OSD states that it is about creating conditions for peoples to live in dignity as human beings, in
line with its mission statement in the past years OSJE was engaged in different activities which
can be divided in four major categories: Capacity Enhancement and Development, Civic
Empowerment, Legal Empowerment and, Creating Enabling Environment. However, similar in
thought does not mean, similar in action, the fact is in Ethiopia Social Justice is nonexistent. The
salient feature of most development policies existing today is their exclusive focus on economic
growth (OSD, 2003).
The European Union (EU) Charter of Fundamental Rights mirrors that of America, EU
states Every EU citizen enjoys the same fundamental rights based on the values of equality, non-
discrimination, inclusion, human dignity, freedom, and democracy. These values are fortified
and protected by the rule of law. This definition mirrors that of America, ensuring that all rights
and liberties are protected within the Laws of the land. This is highly different than that of
Ethiopia, who until 2019 had no Government interference regarding social justice. Although, at
least 100 years later than its contour parts, Ethiopia is taking a step in the right direction.
Moreover, America and Europe have had some major social movements that have run
concurrently, with many of the same social issues. So, it makes sense for the social policies and
changes of both countries to enact similar polices and laws regarding social policy.
Robbins 3
Cited Works
1. Hill, Racheal, Responses to Industrialization, World History Project, 1110L, 2019.
https://www.oerproject.com/OER-Materials/OER-Media/PDFs/1750/Unit4/Responses-
to-Industrialization. Accessed 23 January 2024
2. Cox, Kiana and Edwards, Khadijah, Black Americans Have a Clear Vision for Reducing
Racism but Little Hope It Will Happen
https://www.pewresearch.org/race-ethnicity/2022/08/30/black-americans-have-a-clear-
vision-for-reducing-racism-but-little-hope-it-will-happen/
Accessed 23 January 2024
3. The Organization for Social Development, OSD.
https://osdethiopia.org/index.php/history Accessed 27 January 2024
4. Wikipedia contributors. "Social justice." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia, 19 Jan. 2024. Web. 28 Jan. 2024. Accessed 27 January 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Social_justice&id=1197162677&wpFormIdentifier=tit
leform
