2024-11-16 15:19:00
Ideas of justice loaded with normative value permeate all areas of society in which something is distributed unequally. Should the rich pay higher taxes? Is it right that marriages with many children are supported more by the state than those without? Sociological research roughly distinguishes between two principles of justice: performance justice and needs justice.
Equity in performance could also be called pay equity: those who do more should be rewarded accordingly better. Related to this, needs justice presupposes that not everyone can be productive and therefore can legitimately ask for help. A distinction is also made if someone cannot or does not want to meet social benefit expectations for their own reasons or because they are ill, elderly or caring for children or relatives and are therefore not available on the job market.
Social policy, in particular, faces the challenge of developing its legislation in the greatest possible harmony with the ideas of justice dominant in society. But what are they?
Konstanz social scientist Felix Wolter has now empirically examined this question based on the size of apartments. To this end, he was able to access data from the 2022 Constance city survey. The university city on Lake Constance, with around 87,000 inhabitants, has the typical problems of the German real estate market: too few new buildings and high rents.
The investigation conducted a so-called vignette experiment with the participants: they were asked to evaluate fictitious situations and whether they found the life situation described in them fair or unfair. The information provided in the experiments consisted of key figures about the residents (singles, married couples, families with children), their living conditions (professional status and willingness to work) and their living conditions (size and location of the apartment and amount of the rent).
Managers and doctors live unfairly well
The results show that respondents are more likely to prioritize needs over performance and performance over status. Families with children whose living situation was generally rated as unfairly poor fared better. What is most notable, however, is that higher professional status led respondents to classify a manager’s or doctor’s living situation as unfair because it was too good. According to those interviewed, however, a nurse or a worker would have the right to better living conditions than these two much higher status groups.
The unemployed, on the other hand, would have to settle for a deterioration in their living situation, while the willingness to work generally justifies better accommodation, both in the work itself and in the search for employment. The study also managed to determine the fair rent for an apartment: according to the city’s inhabitants it is just 14 euros per square meter, which makes Konstanz one of the most expensive cities in Germany. But here too the predominance of the concept of “justice to needs” is evident: those who have children at home should, in all honesty, pay a third less in rent and have a third more living space, according to the study participants.
Of course, this study also has its specific weaknesses. Only tenants were assessed. The study also does not reveal how participants’ differences influenced their perceptions of justice. Do members of the higher professional categories therefore judge their living situation just as unfairly as the average of those interviewed in Konstanz? Hardly. However, the study provides an interesting picture of the dominance of two principles of justice that are perhaps only apparently mutually exclusive. It is probably truer that the willingness to raise children is itself seen as a type of service that society must also “reward”.
However, interviewees also show an understanding that in modern society it is impossible to regulate the distribution of scarce goods, such as affordable housing, solely according to a principle of justice. what is noteworthy is the poor performance of high occupational status as a justification for requesting a better living situation. The Germans reward effort, but less the results obtained.
How can policymakers implement a needs-based approach to housing equity in response to public sentiment?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Felix Wolter, Social Scientist
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. Wolter! It’s great to have you with us today. Your recent research on societal justice and living conditions in Konstanz has certainly stirred up some crucial conversations. Can you start by summarizing the main findings of your study?
Dr. Felix Wolter (FW): Thank you for having me! Essentially, my research focused on how residents of Konstanz perceive fairness in housing situations across different socio-economic groups. Using data from the 2022 city survey, I conducted a vignette experiment where participants assessed various fictitious scenarios involving families, professionals, and their living conditions. The key takeaway was a general prioritization of needs over performance and a pronounced belief that high-status jobs, like those of managers or doctors, result in unfair living conditions.
TNE: That’s fascinating! You mentioned prioritizing needs over performance. Could you explain what this means in the context of your findings?
FW: Absolutely. In essence, while performance justice suggests that those who work harder or achieve more should be rewarded, the people in Konstanz seem to resonate more with needs justice. For example, families with children facing poor living conditions were viewed empathetically, showing a societal inclination to support the vulnerable over those simply enjoying the benefits of high-status jobs.
TNE: It sounds like there’s a significant shift in perspective on social equity. How do you think this affects social policy moving forward?
FW: That’s a critical point. Social policy must evolve to reflect these values in order to be effective. If policymakers understand that the populace supports a needs-based approach, they may prioritize housing assistance, child support, and welfare programs that emphasize helping those who are struggling, rather than just focusing on traditional performance-based incentives.
TNE: The contrast between perceived fairness for high-status professions and lower-status workers is intriguing. Why do you think the respondents felt that nurses and workers deserved better living conditions than managers and doctors?
FW: This speaks to the societal values we hold dear. Respondents saw nurses and workers as essential to the community, often more so than managers or doctors, who are sometimes perceived as reaping disproportionate rewards despite their high salaries. The public sentiment appears to emphasize the necessity of support for those who are on the front lines, helping others, especially during challenging times like a pandemic.
TNE: It was also notable that your study found a common understanding of what constitutes fair rent in Konstanz. Can you elaborate on that?
FW: Sure! Based on our findings, respondents agreed that a fair rent should be around 14 euros per square meter. This reflects a localized understanding of housing affordability amidst the reality of skyrocketing rents in the city. People recognize that while they may not be able to influence housing markets, setting a fair expectation can help in discussions around legislation and social equity.
TNE: In the face of growing housing crises in many urban areas, what actionable steps can residents and policymakers take based on your findings?
FW: Residents should advocate for transparent data regarding housing costs and local wages. There should also be a push for policies that provide more affordable housing solutions, such as rent controls or social housing developments. For policymakers, it’s essential to align policies with public sentiment, enhancing support systems aimed at helping families and marginalized groups.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Wolter! Your insights into the interconnectedness of social justice and housing provide a critical lens through which we can assess our current policies. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing how these discussions unfold in public discourse.
FW: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to share my research. I hope it contributes to a broader dialogue on fairness and justice in our society.