Social justice as a Holy Grail: The endless quest

Social justice is described as the modern equivalent of the Holy Grail: though both are elusive & may never be found, or even recognized if found, the search must continue. It is argued that the inability to recognize, agree about, or measure social justice presents major problems for social pol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social justice research 1988-03, Vol.2 (1), p.49-60
Main Author: Boulding, Kenneth E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
EQUALITY OR INEQUALITY
Policy Analysis
POLITICAL CULTURE
POLITICAL INTEGRATION OF DIFFERENT AREAS
SOCIAL CONTRACT
Social Justice
SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES
WELFARE
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Summary:Social justice is described as the modern equivalent of the Holy Grail: though both are elusive & may never be found, or even recognized if found, the search must continue. It is argued that the inability to recognize, agree about, or measure social justice presents major problems for social policy. Various dimensions of social justice are examined -- desert, equity (including intergenerational equality), & need; these concepts cannot be reconciled -- only compromised. The relation of "rights" to justice is explored, & issues surrounding the optimal degree of societal homogeneity are discussed. Three kinds of power -- threat, exchange, & integrative -- are identified & related to the maintenance of injustice as well as to potential ways of eliminating it. 5 References. K. Hyatt
ISSN:0885-7466
1573-6725
DOI:10.1007/BF01052299