Phil 350 - Just and Unjust Societies

Kurtis Kampa

PHIL 320-52

Just and Unjust Societies

        A just society is a society where every citizen is actively involved in the advancement of their country. This means that all citizens are viewed as equal, and individuals are allowed to express themselves in any way they choose. An example of a just society is the country of Canada. Everyone is granted their basic freedoms and rights. One example of a current unjust society is in Pakistan, where rape has become a serious problem. This continues to happen, because Pakistan has no judicial system that would help prevent these crimes and also provide justice to the victims by prosecuting the offenders. What makes this an unjust society, is the people have no say on what happens to both the victims and offenders of rape. To help make Pakistan, a just society, they must create equality amongst their citizens by allowing them more rights and freedom of speech, so they can make a change in their communities and country as a whole.

        When determining what makes a society just or unjust, one reason is how an individual feels about their society. If they are happy, they may feel they live in a just society, and if not they would feel they live in an unjust society. For example, many people in the US might seem we live in a just society because we have many rights, such as, freedom of speech. However, in a country like China, they may see the US as unjust, because they are more of a communist country, and are opposed to free speech.

        The view that comes is closest to my own views, is Rawls Theory. I agree that each person is to have equal rights. If everyone were behind the “veil of ignorance,” they would be more likely to agree on ideas that would benefit the group as a whole. Without this veil, if someone owned an oil business, they would obviously be more inclined to choose laws that benefit the oil business.