Chapter 2: The Role of Participatory Democracy in the Critical Praxis of Social Justice

The notion of social justice is not self-explanatory. A genuine democratic participation of the victims of injustice is crucial to make the social justice movement different from paternalistic, messianic, essentially top-down programs and projects. Genuine democratic participation implies: (1) move from mere rhetoric to action aimed at improving conditions of people affected by injustices; (2) avoid activism without conscientization; (3) involve in dialogues toward “convergence in diversity”; and (4) understand critically the increasingly oppressive system composed of corporations, including mass media, and government who are taking away basic rights and social services. The praxis of social justice involves educators who not only “teach” students to talk about and examine critically the many things that are happening today that impact their lives, but also how to act upon their knowledge using “moments of possibilities” to confront everything that legitimates inequity and perpetuates inequality. Both educators and activists need to develop the “ethics of care” and the “concern for all,” in contrast to the egocentric view of democracy driven by market values. Therefore, Participatory Action Research, which is founded on a genuine participatoiy democracy, is instrumental to the social justice movement. Its participative character and transformative action enable people to critically understand their worlds by actively and collectively shaping and reshaping them.