People pursue valuable things like social wealth, power, honor, education, jobs, and income. However, most of these values are limited, and it’s true that they don’t always get distributed equally among all members of society. The issue of resource scarcity is often discussed in sociology and economics, and recently, with Michael Sandel's Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?, the problem of distributive justice has emerged as a significant social issue.
How should we solve the distribution problem that arises with resource scarcity, given the limited nature of social values?
Should resources be distributed equally to everyone, no matter the means or method? Or should we assess people's abilities, the power they hold, or their achievements, and then distribute resources accordingly? Or perhaps it’s right to adjust distribution standards based on circumstances and public opinion?
Scarcity of Resources
The scarcity of resources is a fundamental issue rooted in the fact that human desires are limitless, while the resources to fulfill them are limited. This means that choices must be made regarding what to produce and consume, and these choices always come with costs. Social systems and ideologies have long sought ways to solve this problem in a way that aligns with the public interest, but no clear answer has been found. As a result, resource scarcity is a topic that continues to be discussed, not only from an economic perspective but also from a social one.
Resource scarcity is not an absolute concept but a relative one. For example, while sand is abundant in deserts, in some countries, sand is imported for use in beach projects, illustrating how the scarcity of the same resource can vary depending on location. This scarcity is also not just about the absolute amount of a resource but is influenced by people's desires and needs.
What is Distributive Justice?
Distributive justice is one of the key concepts in sociology and economics. It refers to the principles that govern how resources are allocated among individuals or groups in society. The challenge lies in balancing fairness with efficiency, as resources are always limited. Distributive justice concerns itself with the question of who gets what share of society's wealth and benefits, based on factors such as absolute equality, need, ability, or achievement.
Distributive justice and resource scarcity are closely connected. Distributive justice deals with how to fairly allocate limited resources, while resource scarcity provides the underlying reason why such allocation is necessary. These concepts guide us in making decisions about distribution when faced with limited resources.
However, there is always a trade-off between distributive justice and resource scarcity. For instance, distributing resources equally to everyone may be fair but could hinder efficiency and economic growth. On the other hand, giving more resources to those who can use them most efficiently may promote economic growth but can also increase inequality.
Social and Economic Perspectives on Distributive Justice
From a socio-economic perspective, distributive justice refers to giving each individual their rightful share. This can be seen in two primary ways:
Corrective JusticeDistributive Justice
This refers to the fair distribution of social benefits and burdens, with standards such as absolute equality, need, ability, and achievement. Distributive justice is not about charity but about addressing what share of the society's wealth is rightfully someone’s due. There are two key positions on this:
- Wealth should be distributed according to contribution.
- Wealth should be distributed according to need or equally.
Distributive justice, often a central issue in debates about economic justice, now encompasses not only the distribution of income but also the distribution and accumulation of wealth, as well as the legitimacy of such accumulation. In the current reality of deepening wealth inequality, the disparity in wealth distribution is often more pronounced than the inequality in income from individual effort or ability, as initial assets play a larger role. This has led to ongoing discussions about institutional reforms regarding the distribution of wealth, including property and financial assets.
Some argue that instead of focusing on growth, policies should emphasize redistribution, while others claim that if growth slows, the poor will ultimately suffer the most.
Social Justice and Distributive Justice
From the perspective of social justice, distributive justice refers to the fair conduct of society, ensuring that each person enjoys their rightful share. Fair distribution is emphasized as a means of protecting individual rights (freedom, equality, pursuit of happiness) and preventing social conflicts.
In this sense, distributive justice involves distributing scarce social values like status, goods, and honor in proportion to each person’s worth. Fair distribution is vital for ensuring individual rights and preventing social unrest.
Appropriate Criteria for Distribution
To realize distributive justice, setting appropriate criteria for distribution is crucial. Common criteria include:
- Distribution Based on Achievement: Allocating resources according to one’s contributions or accomplishments. This can boost productivity, though evaluating different types of achievements can be challenging.
- Distribution Based on Ability: Allocating resources to those with the greatest abilities. While rewarding talent, this approach can raise questions about how to measure ability and may factor in innate qualities.
- Distribution Based on Need: Prioritizing resources for those in the greatest need. This helps protect the disadvantaged but may reduce economic efficiency.
Other policies related to distributive justice include:
- Affirmative Action: Offering benefits in employment or education to groups that have historically been discriminated against, ensuring fair distribution of social benefits.
- Redistribution Policies: Governments use taxes to redistribute wealth, mitigating economic inequality and maintaining social stability.
