Just Distribution

To achieve social justice in society, governments might have to do more than simply ensure that laws and policies treat individuals in a fair manner. Social justice is also concerned with the just distribution of goods and services — whether between different nations, or between different groups and individuals within a single society. If serious economic or social inequalities exist within a society, it might become necessary to redistribute some of society's important resources, in order to provide something like a level playing field for all citizens.

Within a country, therefore, social justice requires not only that people be treated equally under the laws and policies of society, but also that they enjoy some basic equality of life conditions and opportunities. This is considered necessary so that every person is genuinely able to pursue their own objectives in life and express themselves as they choose. In our own country, for instance, the Constitution abolished the practice of untouchability, in order to promote social equality and to ensure that people belonging to 'lower' castes would have access to temples, jobs and basic necessities such as water. Different state governments have also taken steps to redistribute important resources such as land, in a fairer manner, through land reforms. …