Alternative Theories of Social Justice, Research Paper Example

Abstract

In this essay, I will look at the meaning of social justice. I will also discuss the theories of social justice and be able to compare and contrast them in relation to health policy. I will discuss theories on social justice according to John Rawls and David Miller’s principles of social justice. I will also bring forth the issues that have appeared in the health care sector due to conflicts brought by the theories of social justice.

Introduction

Social justice is the concept of moral rightness based on ethics practiced within the society within the various social classes. Social justice is broad and has some history and critical examinations according to Loretta Capeheart (2007). Social justice is the notion of equality and equal opportunities in the society. When studying social justice, one has to consider how dominant and non-dominant aspect of justice arises. It gives assurance of protection the society, access to health services, rights and available opportunities. Social justice is not narrow-minded and sets it focus on not an individual but the social whole. It also includes an understanding of interactions between multitudes, which become complex to pursuit.

Theories of social Justice

According to John Rawls, there are three theories of social justice; these are utilitarianism, justice as fairness, and libertarianism. Utilitarianism is how a society’s laws and standards help in promoting happiness among members. However, this theory is difficult to present and measure. This calls for alternative means to measure happiness indirectly hence, utilitarianism. Utilitarian’s should be able to identify happiness easily. To be able to identify happiness traditional methods were used. The first method was to depend on human good theory, for example, what is good to the human species as a whole, or rather, what would make them burgeon.

The second option is social conditions and strategies used in an organization that are necessary for good to strive. However, it is very difficult for people to agree on what is happiness, or what brings happiness to a person. People tend to have different ideologies depending on the level of education, background of a person, the society or even the career path chosen by an individual.  A general condition for human happiness is ensuring the availability of basic human needs. According to James Sterba, Basic needs “must be satisfied in order not to seriously endanger a person’s mental or physical well-being” (1995, p. 524). These are food, shelter, protection, companionship and medical care. The theories of social justice help in grouping people and ensuring that all groups of people can acquire equal health care (Fabienne, 2001).

The other theory is justice as fairness, which is influential. Currently, however, according to Rawls it is a reformulation of utilitarianism. This is because it tends to correct the problems of utilitarianism. This theory was developed for the democratic system of government; it believed that the society has a fair and just system of social justice and that all resources are free and distributed equally to the citizens. He also believes that the society had a well-organized governance regulate by public opinion and the presence of set standards and procedure known to all. Justice as fairness allowed people to freely make agreements with others to follow certain rules and procedures of doing things for the benefit of all. This removes the aspect of self-gain and promotes social justice.

According to Rawls the rules “specify the basic rights and duties to be assigned by the main political and social institutions, and they regulate the division of benefits arising from social cooperation and allot the burdens necessary to sustain it” (Rawls, 2003, p. 7).  Justice as fairness has conflicted doctrines because not everyone will agree with the current situation, but the overlapping consensus will take care of the doctrines. This is because people will tend to agree on basic principles of justice. This theory has three distinctive principles; these are, first everyone is entitled to equal basic needs with a compatible scheme. Secondly, inequalities of the social and economic are to be attached to offices and positions open to all under condition of fair equality of opportunity. Thirdly, they should benefit the least advantaged people more. In relation to the health sector, justice as fairness helps the minority to acquire health services from a government health centre. The government has used this theory to ensure that all its members can be able to access good health care despite their financial status.

The other theory is libertarianism. This theory emphasizes liberty as the most important aspect of social justice. According to a libertarian, a society is said to be just when it allows and protect an individual’s freedom to do as he /she wishes. This theory believes that people are rational beings and have the capability of making the right choice without interference from others. Their theory assumes that everyone has his/her rights, which protect him/her   to lead a kind of life that he/she desires. It also states that every person has his life to live and have the right to behave according to his/he own choices as long as he/she is not affecting the other person rights (Rawls 1999). Libertarianism in relation to health issues is the capability of every individual being a master of his own; by making health decision personally. Health policy states that a person is entitled to quality health services when required. It also state that a person health status is confidential, this give a person liberty to choice a health centre to acquire services from and  to either reveal or not his health status to family or company.

The principle of social justice according to David Miller states that a person should have all his/her basic needs meet and not infringed. It also states that benefits and limitations should be distributed as one deserved and that all people should be treated equally without biasness. Miller’s theories were based on public opinions concerning justice, he find people opinion on justice circumstantial and can be used to make a concrete decision regarding a circumstance. When setting principles, Miller allocates benefits and limitations to the policies and checks to see which policy is fit for the society.  Miller sates “justice fundamentally requires us to treat people as equals; or we should understand justice as what people would agree to in advance of knowing their own stake in this decision not reached” (Miller, 2003, p. 22). Both Rawls theories and Miller’s principles are very similar in almost all aspects. This similarity is because of the development of both theories based on similar principles.

Health Issues

The health issues that  arise in Rawls theories, do not talk about health issues to its theories and Rawls  believes that health issues is best left out of justice as fairness. This is because different parties are not well equipped in relation to health issues, and might end up making the wrong decisions and thus, decide not to talk about it. They also argue that health care is best left for legislative part of the government because it is not appropriate for theories. Others argue that health care should be listed as a primary need (Coogan, 2007). From all this arguments, it is evident that these theories have brought about many problems to the social justice and this should change. Many of the criminal justice agencies set up do not achieve social justice, but this should be investigated because it brings down the participation of citizens in attaining social justice in the community. The justice system laid with regard to health issues concentrates more on personal references and this contributes to the failure of implementation processes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theories of Rawls show the political structures of the society, and how health issues can be taken care. A society needs all the theories to be able to be managed well and have happiness among its people. This is also helpful in maintaining order in the society, which results in people respecting one another. As a result, social justice is enhanced and this extends to health, happy relations. The justice as fairness is relevant in a society to allow its people access the required medical needs and measure the level of happiness amongst its people. Rawls took the challenges that faced the society keenly and had a mitigation strategy to ensure that people got equal resources like education and medical care.

References

Coogan, H. E. (2007). Rawls and Health Care: Philosophy Department Colby College Student Research, paper 501.

Fabienne, P. (2001). Health Equity and social justice: Journal of applied Philosophy, 18(2).

Lorreta, C. &  Milovanovic, D. (2007). Critical Issues in Crime and Society. New Brunswick,  N.J.: Rutgers University Press.

Miller, D. (2003). Political Philosophy: A very short Introduction. Oxford: OUP.

Rawls, J. (1999). A Theory of Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Robinson, M. (2010): Assessing Criminal Justice Practice using social Justice Theory. Soc Just Res 23: 77-79.

Sterba, J.  (1995). Contemporary Social and Political Philosophy. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.