(In)Justice and Conflict Resolution
S06
Ronald Cohen
What conditions do people consider unjust? Do all people consider the same (kinds of) conditions unjust? If so, why? If not, what factors contribute to the differences? How do people respond to situations they judge as unjust? What structures of authority and decision-making, and what social and political policies, do people consider unjust? How do they respond to authorities, decisions, and policies they consider unjust? We will examine the role of justice and injustice in the development and resolution of interpersonal and intergroup conflict. Attention will focus on: 1) the distribution of scarce and valued resources (distributive justice); 2) the decision-making procedures through which these distributions are produced (procedural justice); and 3) the violation of social norms and laws. Students will read relevant social psychological theory and research as well as related work in political studies and sociology. If time and interest permit, students design and conduct original pieces of research.