SOCIAL JUSTICE
Nature of Social Justice
1. What is social justice?
Social
justice is respect for the human person, and for the rights which flow from
human dignity and guarantee it. [glossary, 1928, 1931].
Role of Society
2. What obligations does social justice impose
on society?
Society
ensures social justice by providing the conditions that allow associations and
individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and
vocation. [glossary,
1943*, 1928, 1931].
3. Why do people need society?
A
human person associates with societies in order to develop in accordance with
his nature. Certain societies, such as
the family and the state, correspond more directly to the nature of man. [1891*, 1879, 1882].
4. How are society and virtue related?
Society
ought to promote the exercise of virtue, not obstruct it. It should be
animated by a just hierarchy of values.
Where sin has perverted the social climate, it is necessary to call for the
conversion of hearts and appeal to the grace of God. [1896*].
5. How does society ensure social justice?
Society
ensures social justice by providing the conditions that allow associations and
individuals to obtain their due. [1943*, 1928].
Public Authority
6. How is public authority related to God?
7. What are the
proper characteristics of political and public authority?
Political
and public authority act legitimately if they are committed
to the common good of society. To attain this they must employ morally
acceptable means. These authorities must
function within the limits of the moral order, and must guarantee the
conditions for the exercise of freedom. [1921*, 1923*].
The Common Good
8. What is the common good?
The
common good comprises "the sum total of social conditions which allow
people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more
fully and more easily." (GS 26#1). It consists of
three essential elements: respect for
and promotion of the fundamental rights of the person; the development of the
spiritual and temporal goods of society; the peace and security of the group
and of its members. [1924*,
1925*].
9. What circumstances are involved in prompting
the common good?
The
dignity of the human person requires the pursuit of the common good. Everyone should be concerned to create and
support institutions that improve the conditions of human life. It is the role of the state to defend and
promote the common good of civil society.
The common good of the whole human family calls for an organization of
society on the international level. [1926*, 1927*].
Principles of Subsidiarity and Solidarity
10. What is the principle of subsidiarity?
The principle of subsidiarity, emphasized
by the Second Vatican Council (GS 25, #2), states that neither the state nor
any larger society should usurp the initiative and responsibility of
individuals and intermediary bodies.
[1894*, 1883].
11. What is the principle of solidarity?
This
principle concerns the just sharing of spiritual and material goods. The distribution of wealth and the
consumption of resources should be more even.
Society has the obligation to foster this just sharing. [*1948*, 1939-1942].
Role of the Individual
12. What should be the role of the individual
person in society?
The
individual person is and ought to be the principle, the subject, and the object
of every social organization. Widespread
participation in voluntary organizations should be encouraged. [1892*, 1893*].
13. What is the basis for considering all people
equal?
The
equality of individuals concerns respect for their dignity as persons, and the
rights that flow from it. Everyone should look upon his neighbor, without any
exception, as another self. This
equality of dignity imposes on society the obligation to reduce excessive
social and economic inequalities. It
gives urgency to the elimination of sinful inequalities such as the millions of
people who live in abject poverty.
[1945*, 1944*,
1929-1938].
14. Why are there differences between persons?
The
existence of differences between human persons belongs to God's plan, who wills that we should need each other. These differences should encourage
charity. [1946*, 1936-37].
Preferential Option for the Poor
15 What is the
preferential option for the poor?
The
preferential option for the poor involves governments and societies showing
partiality toward alleviating the needs the poor and the disadvantaged in their
allocation of funds and resources.