ABSTRACT
Social equity is a core value of public administration. It ensures fairness, due process, distributional equity, and reduces outcome disparities. This chapter defines social equity and cites the scholarly research contributing to the body of knowledge on social equity. In addition, it describes the institutionalization of social equity in the field of public administration, specifically highlighting the instrumental roles of the American Society for Public Administration, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. It identifies federal laws and U.S. Supreme Court cases addressing civil rights connecting the rule of law to social equity. Last, it describes gender identity terms and intersectionality laying the foundation for the coupling of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights and the rule of law, which is critical to enforcing protections.
