Defining Justice by playing a Social Game

Abstract

This research uses a qualitative ethnographic research design to describe how the social position of active individuals in the Indische Buurt in Amsterdam shapes their conceptions of justice. By looking at conceptions of social justice in a specific social setting, this research attempts to create a broader understanding of the interaction between a person’s sense of justice and their environment. The environment of individuals is shaped by and shapes their social position. Following Douglas’ Cultural Theory, this research finds that active individuals who share similar social positions consequently share similar ideas about the division of goods, resources and burdens. Active individuals in the Indische Buurt express how the social game following their social environment promotes specific personal ideas about social justice. However, whereas these social games shape contradictory conceptions of justice, active individuals in the Indische Buurt in Amsterdam share the purpose of improving liveability in the neighbourhood which creates an overarching identity where personal ideas of justice are set aside for the greater good.