The Politics of Difference: A Solution to Oppression

Why does responding to oppression, as Iris Marion Young formulates it, demand a politics of difference? For this question, we need to know what Young means by oppression.

At the very beginning of the reading material, Young states, “I think the concepts of oppression and domination overlap, but there is nevertheless reason to distinguish them. Oppression usually includes or entails domination, that is, constraints upon oppressed people to follow rules set by others”. Besides, he says, “In accordance with ordinary political usage, I suggest that oppression is a condition of groups…In Its traditional usage, oppression means the exercise of tyranny by a ruling group”. From these points above, oppression is a kind of discrimination, but it is so shameful that most people do not want to admit it. Oppression is worse than discrimination. People would suffer more under oppression.

For some special groups, Black, gay, lesbian, and so on, they're not really any different than we are. But some of them must suffer more than we and discrimination permeate their lives. This is an unfair and ridiculous reality, but we have to face it. To solve this problem, Young introduces the politics of difference. She thinks that the different political views that the oppressed or disadvantaged groups should be treated differently under the principle of equality among all groups. The ideal politics of universalism requires that all people of equal social status treat each person with the same principles, rules, and standards.

The first reason why the politics of distribution is not suitable for current society is that it cannot evaluate society correctly. It let the oppressed group continue to suffer from the oppressor. In other words, this politics is not for everyone but for a specific group. In chapter 2, Young argues, “For contemporary emancipatory social movements, on the other hand-socialists, radical feminists, American Indian activists, Black activists, gay and lesbian activists-oppression is a central category of political discourse. Entering the political discourse in which oppression is a central category involves adopting a general mode of analyzing and evaluating social structures and practices which is incommensurate with the language of liberal individualism that dominates political discourse in the United States”. By contrast, the politics of difference is more like a public service policy. It considers more people and tries to find a balance for society. This is helpful in dealing with the problem of oppression.

Secondly, the politics of difference cares more about the oppressed and disadvantaged groups. In Chapter 6, Young states,” Equality as the participation and inclusion of all groups sometimes requires different treatment for oppressed or disadvantaged groups. To promote social justice, social policy should sometimes accord special treatment to groups.” Indeed, there are a lot of groups that need to have cared for, they work hard and try their best to live better, but they did not get what they deserved. Social policy should consider more about those groups. That is one way to solve the unfair problem and it also embodies the politics of difference. Politics of difference does help them with this situation.

If we put Yang's ideal into social practice, what we can see is the fundamental reform of the system design of citizenship -- the group division of identity, that is, the defect of individual difference can be realized by compensating the interests of the group, so as to make up for the objective disadvantage of the disadvantaged groups. As a result, in addition to universal civil rights, marginalized and disadvantaged groups in society have an additional right to compensate for their disadvantages, which may be any right such as the right to vote, the right to participate, and the right to speak.

To sum up, if we insist on the politics of distribution, it cannot solve the current problem. On the contrary, it will make the oppression more intensive. The oppressed people are still discriminated against. However, at some level, politics of difference can help them out. Here, although there are some defects about the politics of difference, sticking to it is kind of liberating. It can evaluate society correctly and focus on the disadvantaged group, both of which help solve the problem of oppression. Also, the politics of difference can save a special group and helps to reduce the mode of privilege and oppression in society.