Class Actions as a Bridge Between Cultures of Dignity and Victimhood

• Author: Shaun Finn
• Pages: 3-20

3

CLASS ACTIONS AS A BRIDGE

BETWEEN CULTURES OF

DIGNITY AND VICTIMHOOD

Shaun Finn

Abstract: Sociologists believe that there is a tran sformation

currently ta king place in the West from a culture of dignit y to a

culture of victim hood. Rather than relying on rea soned debate

to resolve important differences, there is a grow ing tendency

to complain about, publicize, and punish minor, sometimes

subjective, offences (called “microaggre ssions”). This article

argues that class actions have become a prevalent form of liti-

gation in Canada preci sely because they have character istics of

both dignity and victim culture. This duality helps to expla in

why it is likely that cla ss actions will play an ever-expanding

role as an instrument of compensatory and “social” justice.