Justice

A. Definition of Justice

• Justice is all about giving what is due to the person. For example, if someone committed a crime, a matching punishment should be given. On the other hand, a good deed deserves some credit or perhaps a reward.
• It is important to note that justice should be fair to all sides.
• Justice doesn’t exactly mean equality. It is something flexible depending on the current situation. (E.g. Food may be distributed in equal shares, but some people may need more, while some only need little.)

B. Elements of a Just World

• There should be a concern for basic needs. Needs such as food, clothing and shelter should be identified to the right sector of society.
• There should be equal and just distribution of goods.
• There should be concern for dignity. Each person, no matter how rich or poor they are, deserve this basic form of respect. They are still humans despite their place in the social ladder.
• There should be empowerment of the people. A just society cannot be run solely by a dictator. Each person should have a hand in making a decision because they’re the ones who will benefit from the given action in the first place.
• There should be concern for solidarity.
• A quality of justice that breaks barriers between people must be established. For example, in the eyes of the law ideally, money, prestige and power shouldn’t be a manipulating force in the outcome of the decision. Being wealthy doesn’t mean immunity from justice.
• People must be working with and not working for the poor. To work with the poor gives these people more dignity and respect for themselves. They eventually learn how to stand up on their own feet, instead of just supplying them with charity and alms that makes them dependent for the rest of their lives.
• There should be concern for social structure. In a just society, the social ladder is eventually blurred because everyone treats each other as equals.
• There should be a community in which people can easily be good. An atmosphere must be developed in the community, which shows an aura of goodness. It serves as the basic mold for each person’s well being in society.

C. Kinds of Justice

• Commutative Justice: It’s the common relationship between individuals. It is a form of simple exchange or bargains between people.
• Distributive Justice: It’s the people’s relationship with the government or any ruling body within the given community. It’s all about the fair and equal distribution of goods among the people. It also handles the balance of benefits and burdens within society.
• Social Justice: It’s an individual’s contribution to the common good. They are based on the relationship between each member of society to the entire community. Furthermore, it’s also about one’s responsibility and participation to everyone’s well being.
• (see also Solutions: Justice)

Further Reading

• Economics lesson plans were based and adopted from Fr. Roberto Yap's economics notes found in the Tulong Dunong Sourcebook and Michael P. Todaro: Economics for a Developing World