When Public Policy Intervenes With Social Justice

Abstract

Although public policy is typically portrayed as an impartial means of addressing societal
needs, its creation and application can collide with contentious ideas of social justice. In
particular, when power imbalances, institutional biases, and conflicting political interests
influence policy outcomes, this article explores how public policy initiatives can both
promote and limit social justice goals. The study examines important policy areas where state
action has had unforeseen effects for marginalised people, drawing on interdisciplinary
viewpoints from political science, sociology, and legal studies. It contends that even if policy
frameworks may seem to advance equity, unless they are specifically based on participatory,
justice-centred approaches, their actual impacts frequently replicate structural inequities. This
article emphasises the necessity of inclusive policymaking processes, accountability
mechanisms, and context-sensitive implementation by critically evaluating the circumstances
in which public policy becomes an instrument for social transformation—or, conversely,
social control. By providing a methodology for assessing policy interventions through an
equality and rights-based perspective, the study adds to ongoing discussions on social justice
and governance.