RECOGNITION OR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION? A LEGAL-POLITICAL SYNTHESIS

Over the past half century, democratic States have been implementing a range of policies aimed at combating discrimination against social categories defined by non-elective traits such as sex, race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, disability and age. However, sociological research shows that such measures have not put an end to discrimination. In the light of Nancy Fraser's political-philosophical theory of recognition, this paper seeks to identify the intrinsic limitations of existing antidiscrimination strategies and clear the path for future improvements. In particular, it highlights the need to pay more attention to the determinants of prejudice and underlines the potential contribution of multiculturalism to the elimination of covert, routine forms of discrimination.