The neglected promise of liberal democracy: Examining the deliberate ignorance toward social justice

Ali A. Jenabzadeh, researcher, journalist, and translator

In a portion of his address to the fifty-eighth session of the Union of Islamic Student Associations in Europe, the Leader of Islamic Revolution highlighted the “critical issues and both new and longstanding wounds of the world,” emphasizing the most profound among them as the “dangerous neglect by liberal democracy of economic and social justice.” But where does social justice fit within liberal democratic systems, and why is its neglect so perilous?

Liberal democracy is lauded in numerous political arenas as a model of governance and has made strides in advancing individual freedoms, political representation, and economic prosperity. Yet, beneath this polished exterior lies a harsh reality: the systematic and purposeful disregard for a foundational principle known as “social justice.” This is not simply an oversight but a deliberate choice deeply woven into the fabric of this political framework.

​The illusion of equality

While liberal democracies uphold individual rights and equality before the law in principle, they often overlook profound inequalities that plague their societies in practice. This cannot be simply dismissed as oversight; it represents a conscious decision to preserve the status quo, favoring a privileged minority at the expense of the less fortunate majority. Economic disparities in many liberal democracies are stark: a small segment controls a disproportionate share of wealth and resources, leaving millions struggling to make ends meet, trapped in enduring hardship. This inequality isn’t solely a result of market forces but is driven by policies that benefit the wealthy and corporations, often to the detriment of workers, the impoverished, and marginalized communities. Measures like tax cuts for the wealthy, industry-favoring deregulation, and disproportionately harsh austerity measures illustrate how the system actively fosters and perpetuates economic inequality.

Systematic discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, and other social identities persists unchecked in liberal democracies, despite rhetoric promoting “equality” and “equity.” This isn’t merely about individual biases but is deeply ingrained within societal institutions and structures, sustained by influential interests that profit from maintaining existing hierarchies. For example, in many such societies, the judicial system targets and penalizes minorities, often disregarding principles of proportionality. The term “minority” in these contexts doesn’t always hinge on numerical minority status. This issue is exemplified by the United States’ justice system’s harsh treatment of its Black population, who numerically outnumber many other social groups in the country. A similar degree of bias, varying in intensity, can also be observed within the educational systems of liberal democracies, which frequently fail to ensure equal opportunities for all. This deliberate disregard for social justice has shaped societies where an individual’s life prospects are largely determined by their circumstances at birth rather than their talents or efforts.

The historical origins of neglect

The deliberate disregard for social justice is not a recent phenomenon. Its origins can be traced back to the enduring legacies of colonialism, slavery, and systematic oppression. These legacies have entrenched deep-seated inequalities that persist in Western societies, often perpetuated by those who inherit power and privilege. The exploitation of colonized peoples, the enslavement of Africans, and systematic discrimination against women and minorities form part of this dark history, profoundly shaping the daily lives of Westerners to this day.

The rise of neoliberalism in the late twentieth century exacerbated these issues. Policies such as deregulation benefiting large industrialists and multinational corporations, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and austerity measures led to the dismantling of social safety nets and deliberate cuts in public investment in social services. This shift in political priorities disproportionately harmed the most vulnerable segments of society and widened the gap between the wealthy and the poor. It was a deliberate choice to prioritize capital interests over public welfare, resulting in a society where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Globalization, while promoting economic growth and interconnecting the fates of nations, has also worsened these aforementioned issues. The relentless pursuit of profit has often resulted in the exploitation of workers, environmental degradation, and a race to lower wages and labor standards. This cannot simply be seen as an unfortunate byproduct of globalization but rather as the outcome of deliberate decisions by multinational corporations and governments to prioritize profits over people. Outsourcing jobs, suppressing labor unions, and weak environmental regulations in many countries serve as examples of how the system consciously suppresses social justice in favor of economic interests.

The silent killer: Social injustice as a critical flaw in liberal democracies

At the core of the described modern civilization, a silent crisis is unfolding that threatens the bedrock of Western societies. This crisis is not a larger conflict than the Ukraine war, nor a natural disaster, nor a more dangerous pandemic than COVID-19; rather, it is the gradual and insidious erosion of social justice within the apparently prosperous and stable frameworks of liberal democracies. This neglect is not just a moral failing; it has stained the politics, with consequences that reach far beyond marginalized groups.

Central to this crisis is a growing and perilous inequality. The gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to widen, creating a disproportionate society. This goes beyond mere economic disparity; it fuels social unrest. When a significant segment of the population feels deprived of the benefits of economic growth, discontent grows and social cohesion weakens.

History is replete with societies shattered by severe inequality. The French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and numerous other upheavals arose from the frustration and hopelessness of those left behind by economic advances and denied their rewards. In our time, movements like Occupy Wall Street (OWS) illustrate the destabilizing impact of inequality. In liberal democracies, the social contract hinges on equal opportunities and fair distribution of resources. When this contract is violated, the legitimacy of the political system is called into question. It can erode trust in democratic institutions and pave the way for authoritarianism and extremism — a growing concern in many Western nations.

Economic instability: A house built on sand

Inequality not only fosters social unrest but also undermines economic stability. Concentrating wealth in the hands of a few reduces consumer demand and stalls economic growth. This can trigger a destructive cycle of recession, unemployment, and further social unrest.

Furthermore, inequality distorts the allocation of resources. When the wealthy exert disproportionate influence over economic and political decisions, investments often prioritize profit and luxury goods over sectors that benefit the broader community. This can lead to asset bubbles, financial crises, and misallocation of capital, obstructing long-term economic development.

Political polarization

The disregard for social justice worsens political polarization. When citizens perceive that their concerns are ignored by political institutions, they grow disillusioned with the democratic process. This creates opportunities for populist leaders who exploit societal discontent for personal gain.

The emergence of populist movements in the West in recent years illustrates the harmful impact of social injustice on political dialogue. These movements often thrive on division and hostility, set different groups against each other, and undermine efforts toward compromise and collaboration.

Moreover, the repercussions of liberal democracies neglecting social justice extend far beyond politics and economics. Inequality significantly impacts public health. Research consistently shows a strong link between socio-economic status and health outcomes. Individuals in poverty are more prone to chronic illnesses, have lower life expectancy, and face barriers to accessing healthcare.

This isn’t just about individual hardships; it represents a systemic failure. When a society overlooks the health and well-being of its most vulnerable members, it incurs costs through diminished productivity and increased healthcare expenditures.

To be or not to be: The age-old question remains

Many argue that the neglect of social justice by liberal democracy remains an unresolved issue. They suggest clear steps must be taken to address this, such as investing in education, healthcare, affordable housing, creating economic opportunities for all, and testing various large and small-scale solutions in both experimental and real-world settings.

However, the crux of the matter lies in the outcome of these efforts, which have consistently failed. The problem isn’t with the strategies and tools of liberal democracy but with its very essence. Despite repeated testing across different geographies and conditions, these solutions have only served to deepen existing divides. The point is that liberal democracy actually thrives on these divisions. The upper class continues to benefit from the economic system that maintains their privileges, while the lower class remains hopeful amidst setbacks, anticipating an end to perpetual inequality that might bring them closer to the upper class. Today, the difference lies in Western public opinion awakening to the reality that liberal democracy no longer offers a magical solution and starkly reveals its inefficiency to the majority of the lower class. For most, the issue is survival rather than reforming processes or redesigning structures. Liberal democracy is now losing its most crucial asset: the hope of effectiveness for the lower class.

(The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Khamenei.ir.)