Why the Appearance of Fairness Matters

When it comes to public institutions in a pluralistic society, the appearance of fairness and impartiality is actually more important than actual fairness and impartiality. Federal governments in places like Canada and the United States need to appear as fair and representative as possible. Their legitimacy depends upon it. When the South realized in 1860 that the North could win the White House without even bothering to campaign in the slave states, they seceded from the Union and the carnage of the American Civil War ensued. The major political parties in Canada and the United States have, for the most part, been careful to be, or at least appear to be, as inclusive as possible. That’s why so many presidents have hailed from the South. That’s why so many prime ministers have hailed from Quebec. And that’s why prime ministers have been sure to include a nice mix of French and English names in their cabinets. Choosing cabinet members has never been strictly meritocratic, nor should it be (necessarily). Since half the country is female, Justin Trudeau figured that making his cabinet half female would help to make this public institution a little more legitimate. This seems reasonable to me. But even if it doesn’t seem reasonable to you, you should at least acknowledge the fact that this is nothing new. Cabinets have been chosen with identity politics in mind since Confederation. And pluralistic societies that govern diverse peoples have been tweaking their institutions to make them appear more diverse and representative at least as far back as the Roman Empire. Although fairness is almost by definition a moving target, it’s worth striving for regardless. Humans like fairness. It tastes good. And human societies that strive for it are, as a consequence, far more stable than those that act like it doesn’t matter.