An Overview of Regulatory Frameworks for Social Justice: A Comparative Study of Inclusive Policies in Asia and Africa
Keywords:
Social Justice, Inclusive Policy, Regulation, Asia, AfricaAbstract
Abstract
Social justice is becoming a central value in the development of regulatory policies and inclusive policies in both Asia and Africa. Although the two regions have common goals of equality and sustainable development, they show different patterns in how they formulate and enforce inclusive regulations. This paper discusses the regulatory regimes that support social justice in Asia and Africa, focusing on their legal, institutional, and policy aspects. The paper takes a comparative policy and legal analysis of the selected case studies of South Africa, Kenya, India, and Indonesia. The results suggest that even though these two areas have solid constitutional and legislative pledges to social justice, challenges still exist in implementation, distribution of resources, and participatory governance. Asia has gone a long way in affirmative action, social protection, and digital inclusion, whereas Africa has led the way in entrenching socio-economic rights and regional structures in the constitutions and African Union. In both instances, however, there are gaps between the policies as intended and the actual situation, which are generally exacerbated by inequality, political instability, and weak institutional capacity. The paper concludes that convergence of regulations, more enforcement mechanisms, and participatory structures that are inclusive are necessary to foster social justice in both continents. It prescribes reciprocal education between Asia and Africa, especially on matters of judicial activism, digital transformation, and empowerment of the grassroots.
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