Final answer:
Equity is about promoting fairness and the equitable distribution of resources; it's a principle that can guide governmental redistribution of wealth and is fundamental to organizations like the Laura and John Arnold Foundation that invest in strategic initiatives across various societal systems such as education and criminal justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Equity is the principle of promoting fairness and justice within the society. It often involves measures to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups, and to ensure the equitable distribution of resources. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) interprets equity in the context of health as 'everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy.' This may include supporting policies that redistribute wealth, such as progressive taxation and the provision of social welfare programs to assist low-income families with food stamps, affordable housing, medical care, and education grants.
In the broader societal context, economic equity involves the government taking steps to adjust the distribution of wealth and resources to address the needs of the underprivileged. However, this approach can sometimes lead to political disagreements. For example, conservatives may perceive the emphasis on equity as conflicting with the principle of equal treatment under the law, tying such concerns to broader cultural debates including the role of Judeo-Christian values in society.
The Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF) is an example of a philanthropic organization that prioritizes equity in its strategic investments. LJAF aims to repair broken systems for future generations, focusing on areas such as education, criminal justice, research integrity, and public accountability in an effort to promote systemic changes that bring about immediate and long-term gains.