Reference no: EM133236884

Assignment:

1. Formal equality is a fundamental concept of liberal philosophy and has been an effective means of fighting blatant discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, disability and so on. Identify some examples of law or policy designed to promote and protect formal equality
2. Thornton states that the existence of anti-discrimination legislation is evidence that equality in Australia is 'imperfectly realised'. Despite the difficulties of providing discrimination based on race, gender etc, Thornton argues that anti-discrimination legislation is necessary to give the voices of women and minorities attention so that the state maintains its legitimacy. Do you agree with Thornton's statement? Why/ why not?
3. What is indirect discrimination? Give some examples of laws that may lead to indirect discrimination.
4. Is it accurate to say that formal equality is concerned with equal access to opportunity, whereas substantive equality is concerned with equal outcomes? If so, does adherence to substantive equality require too much social engineering?
5. Fredman argues that a multi-dimensional approach is needed to promote substantive equality. What are the four dimensions identified by Fredman? Does a multi-dimensional approach provide a more holistic concept of substantive equality?