Justice as Parity of Participation

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Social justice is often considered the goal of participatory planning, yet justice is typically not operationalized, broadly defined, or clearly linked with participatory practice. We expand on Sherry Arnstein’s concern with the redistribution of power between the state and citizens by juxtaposing her ladder of participation with Nancy Fraser’s framework of justice. Fraser’s approach to justice seeks parity—defined as the social arrangements that enable people to participate as peers in public life—across economic, cultural, and political domains. Fraser provides principles to guide planners in determining what is just and unjust in participatory initiatives. Principles include ensuring proper participatory procedures, recognizing minority viewpoints and perspectives, attending to the framing of public issues, and remediating inequitable social structures. We illustrate the practical application of Fraser’s justice framework by drawing on examples from public engagement with climate change.

Takeaway for practice: Although Fraser does not provide a tool kit for action, we offer suggestions for how planners can apply a justice framework to improve participatory practice. Planners can a) require appropriate procedures to ensure that all relevant people and perspectives are represented at the appropriate scale; b) ensure all perspectives—not just dominant ones—are recognized and valued; and c) respond to and mitigate the inequitable distribution of wealth and resources.

Keywords:

• climate change
• justice
• Nancy Fraser
• participation
• Sherry Arnstein

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the three reviewers and the editor for insightful comments that improved the manuscript.

Disclosure

The lead author has participated in various aspects of the design, delivery, and evaluation of the case studies used in this analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gwendolyn Blue

GWENDOLYN BLUE ([email protected]) is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. Her research examines public engagement with issues that involve science and technology such as climate change and genetic breeding.

Marit Rosol

MARIT ROSOL ([email protected]) is a Canada Research Chair and associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. She is a human geographer with a background in urban planning who has been working on participation throughout her career.

Victoria Fast

VICTORIA FAST ([email protected]) is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. She is an urban geographic information scientist who specializes in participatory mapping, public engagement, digital geographies, and smart cities.