Introduction The Search for Justice in Plural Societies: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of Accommodative Law and Practices
Document Type
Book Chapter
Keywords
law; politics & international relations; social sciences
Identifier Data
9781003224174
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Publication Source
Routledge
Rights Management
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Katayoun Alidadi, Marie-Claire Foblets, and Dominik Muller; individual chapters, the contributors
Abstract
Redesigning Justice is devoted to eleven case studies of accommodation and recognition of minority practices (cultural, religious, ethnic, linguistic, or otherwise) under state law in major world regions (Western Europe, South America, South Africa, Asia, and New Zealand). This introduction sets the frame and context for the volume and gives a brief overview of the different contributions, explaining the division in four parts. Representing multiple disciplines and methodologies in chapters written by esteemed scholars, the selections focus on the analysis of the pitfalls and successes of accommodative practices, as well as the sustainability and potential transferability of best practices and solutions. Some ‘successes’ may be fragile, temporal, transitory and/or ambivalent, which is a point some contributors stress when assessing the ‘success’ they elaborate on in their chapters. Questions of sustainability and transferability must consider that solutions challenging the status quo may face objections, which does not mean obstacles cannot be overcome successfully or initiatives cannot be improved upon. The introduction stresses the need for a robust dialogue as we learn from cross-border accommodative law and practices, as a way of providing insight, inspiration, and much-needed exchange of ideas when it comes to accommodating – both effectively and sustainably – various minorities in plural societies around the world.
