Social Justice: From God to Corporation

Abstract

While ‘social justice’ is a recent concept, its origins lie in a 13th century theologian, who, through an Italian Jesuit, inspired a 19th century Pope. From there it has moved to the secular realm and jurisprudential reasoning, and tried to leap from national society to international society. It has become linked internationally to human rights obligations, where it has had a mixed influence. Within all these developments, the definitions of social justice have changed and been debated. There is a common idea in these definitions that in all societies there should be an aim to distribute resources to assist those less advantaged. In addition, a core element has remained: that the state has some obligations to ensure social justice. This article sets out the history of these definitions and then seeks to challenge the sole responsibility of the state in relation to social justice. It examines the activities of corporations in their effect on society and the consequences on social justice. It also considers what this means in terms of defining social justice at a transnational and international level.