Social justice refers to achieving fairness and impartial treatment in all aspects of society rather than just through legal systems. It involves fair distribution of benefits and burdens. There are differing views on what constitutes fairness. Ensuring social justice is both a philosophical and political issue with differing ideological views on creating a just society through policies around equality of opportunity and outcome. Throughout history, civilizations have sought to establish just systems of law and order to provide both structure and a sense of responsibility to populations. Early Hebrew and Greek/Roman systems focused on principles of justice for all as a foundation for modern Western legal protections of societal order and the common good.

1. Social justice, sometimes called civil justice, refers to the concept of a society in which "justice" is
achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. It is generally
thought of as a world which affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share
of the benefits of society. (Different proponents of social justice have developed different
interpretations of what constitutes fair treatment and an impartial share.) It can also refer to the
distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society.
Social justice is both a philosophical debate and an important issue in politics, religion and civil
society. Most individuals wish to live in a just society, but different political ideologies have
different conceptions of what a 'just society' actually is. The term "social justice" is often
employed by the political left to describe a society with a greater degree of economic
egalitarianism, which may be achieved through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or
even property redistribution, policies aimed toward achieving that which developmental
economists refer to as equality of opportunity and equality of outcome.
There can be no test by which we can discover what is 'socially unjust' because there is no subject
by which such an injustice can be committed, and there are no rules of individual conduct the
observance of which in the market order would secure to the individuals and groups the position
which as such (as distinguished from the procedure by which it is determined) would appear just
to us. Social justice does not belong to the category of error but to that of nonsense, like the term
`a moral stone'
Much has been written about a just society and some progress has been made; but, much still
remains to be done. Progress has been slow because the seeds of success and failure are sown in
each person. The basic conflict between good and evil spoken of by religion is about the transition
from chaos to intelligent order. The evolution of the universe is about natural selection and
survival of the fittest. This is a very stressful process! Intelligence is about order, efficiency,
security and reducing stress.
Throughout recorded history, countless civilizations have sought to create and maintain fair and
equal systems of justice, not only as a means of establishing order in society, but also as a means
to providing a sense of responsibility as well as privilege in the population. This consideration in
mind, a closer look at what makes a society just is in order.
The Concept of Justice for All
While the concept of justice for all has changed, for better or worse depending with whom you
discuss it, the roots of the system of modern justice finds its roots first in the history of the
Hebrews and later carried through by the Greeks and Romans, who added a great deal to what

2. the West now employs as a method of protection of order and respect of the common good
(Torelli, 1999).
The Bible gives examples of the early systems of Hebrew justice, which in many cases amounted
to little more than an eye for an eye or honors thy neighbor, as well as the Ten Commandments.
However, these early forms of law are significant, if not for their comprehensive nature, then
surely for what they represent. In their most basic context, the Ten Commandments for example
present the idea that wrongdoing and violation of others for one's own benefit is not only a sin
against the creator of the human race, but is also unacceptable in a civilized society where respect
and protection are essential.
Taking these basic tenets a step further, the Greeks and Romans developed an actual justice
system which laid out a formalized system of law, rights for accused criminals, and the idea of
trial by a jury of one's own peers to ensure that justice is not only swift, but fair as well. Today,
although the system is often tested, questioned and modified, as well as abused, the West uses
these early principles of justice for all as the foundation for what we use today to protect the good
of society.
- Observations
Thousands of years after great religious teachers and philosophers laid out principles for a good
life, we still have violence, injustice, wars and blatant greed rampant in human society.
- Human Values
People have a sense of right and wrong. Healthy, well educated people strive to do what is right.
- Religion
There is a God. The Universe has a purpose. Each person has free will. Each person is responsible
for their own decisions. There is Right and Wrong. Life is a learning experience. Any religion which
does not respect the rights of non-believers is fundamentally flawed.

3. - Source and Use of Power
Power is derived from physical force, knowledge and money. Individuals and organizations may
use their power for socially good or bad purposes. It is the responsibility of government and each
of us to ensure that power is properly used.
- Economic Systems
Capitalism, Communism and Socialism have been tried and found wanting as Just Economic
systems. Communism and Socialism lose out to Capitalism for efficiency. Capitalism is an efficient
producer of goods and services; but, left unchecked, results in a socially unacceptable distribution
of winners and losers.
- The Local Economy
The function of the local economy is to distribute the goods and services desired by local people in
an efficient manner proportional to the effort exerted by the population.
- The Global Economy
The Global Economy provides an opportunity to achieve improved human productivity. But social
processes must be put in place to ensure benefits are shared fairly. The Capitalist economy reacts
too slowly to achieve a fair distribution of benefits.
- Free Trade
Unrestricted free trade will deliver the most efficient production of goods and services for the
entire world economy if the local economies provide a fair distribution of the benefits of that
efficiency.

4. - Role of Government
A good government is one whose rulers seek the welfare of the people, whereas a corrupt
government is one whose rulers are primarily interested in selfish ends. A good government may
therefore degenerate into a corrupt one if the rulers begin to devote themselves to private gain
instead of public welfare.
- Social Problems
In achieving various goals, problems can be identified which need to be solved in order to achieve
the goal. If we really understand the problem, the answer will come out of it, because the answer
is not separate from the problem.
- Law and Order
Humans have established laws to protect individuals and to protect society.
In order for intelligence to win out over individual selfish greed, a learning process is required. As
more people see the individual advantage of a Just Society, the more rapidly progress will be
made.
The Just Society should provide a level playing field for the game of life. Each individual should be
able to achieve at their personal best without restricting their fellow human being's opportunities.
The rule of law should replace the law of the jungle.
References
Greek Political Theory: Plato and His Predecessors.
Transitional Justice in Historical Perspectives.

5. Greek Political Thought. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul
Essays in the Cultural Formation of Roman Italy. Oxford: Clarendon Press.