Social and Economic Justice
Social Justice
Social justice encompasses economic justice. Social justice is the virtue which guides us in creating those organized human interactions we call institutions. Subsequently these social institutions can cater the the spiritual needs of people both in their independence and their interactions with others, as long as they are honourably carried out. Social justice is not only for those who need it, but is also there for those who are capable of providing. Any person who can identify social justice should provide for those in less need, for it is as much a crime to socially oppress someone as to neglect them.
Economic Justice
Economic justice is basically the economically moral values and principles that guide how social institutions should be conducted. These institutions assists the people in the economic aspects of their lives while keeping it morally good, such as how one earns a living, enters into contracts, exchanges goods and services with others and otherwise produces an independent material foundation for his or her economic sustenance. The ultimate purpose of economic justice is to free each person to engage creatively in the unlimited work beyond economics, that of the mind and the spirit.
Kelso-Adler's Three Principles
Kelso based his ideal market system on three essential and interdependent principles of economic justice:
(1) Participation, the input principle. Kelso Adler states that in a business, the participation and input of all individuals involved must be equal under all circumstances. This includes access to private property in productive assets as well as equality of opportunity to engage in productive work. This principle effectively rejects monopolies, superior opportunity and tries to remove any obstacles to economic equality.
(2) Distribution, the out-take principle. The principles can be simply translated as, "you get what you earn." This principle believes in the economic out take rights of an individual that matches that person's labour and capital input. Instead of looking to the government it relies on the free and open marketplace in order to ensure just prices, just wages, and just profits.
(3) Limitation, the feedback or, in moral terms, the anti-greed principle This principle tries to ensure that the first 2 principles are carried out as justly and as honestly as possible, to create a balanced and just way of business. it tries it's best to restrict monopolies and other types of system where a a single person or party has more control than they should.
(1) Participation, the input principle. Kelso Adler states that in a business, the participation and input of all individuals involved must be equal under all circumstances. This includes access to private property in productive assets as well as equality of opportunity to engage in productive work. This principle effectively rejects monopolies, superior opportunity and tries to remove any obstacles to economic equality.
(2) Distribution, the out-take principle. The principles can be simply translated as, "you get what you earn." This principle believes in the economic out take rights of an individual that matches that person's labour and capital input. Instead of looking to the government it relies on the free and open marketplace in order to ensure just prices, just wages, and just profits.
(3) Limitation, the feedback or, in moral terms, the anti-greed principle This principle tries to ensure that the first 2 principles are carried out as justly and as honestly as possible, to create a balanced and just way of business. it tries it's best to restrict monopolies and other types of system where a a single person or party has more control than they should.
10 Principles of Economic Justice
1. Dignity of the Human Person
Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision for society.
2. Common Good and Community
The human person is both sacred and social. Human dignity can only be realized and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society.
3. Option for the Poor
The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
4. Rights and Responsibilities
Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met .
5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good.
6. Economic Justice
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. All workers have a right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, and to safe working conditions.
7. Stewardship of God's Creation
How we treat the environment is a measure of our stewardship, a sign of our respect for the Creator.
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.”
9. Participation
All people have a right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society. It is a fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community.
10. Global Solidarity and Development
We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice.
Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision for society.
2. Common Good and Community
The human person is both sacred and social. Human dignity can only be realized and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society.
3. Option for the Poor
The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
4. Rights and Responsibilities
Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met .
5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good.
6. Economic Justice
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. All workers have a right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, and to safe working conditions.
7. Stewardship of God's Creation
How we treat the environment is a measure of our stewardship, a sign of our respect for the Creator.
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.”
9. Participation
All people have a right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society. It is a fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community.
10. Global Solidarity and Development
We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice.