SOC 331 Commutative Justice and the National Debt
SOC 331 Commutative Justice and the National Debt
In Chapter 4 of the text, the author examines commutative justice across the generations (see Section 4.5). This idea arises from the writings of British political thinker Edmund Burke (1790):
“Society is indeed a contract… a partnership in all art, a particular in every virtue, and in all perfection. As the ends of such a partnership cannot be obtained in many generations, it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born…”
(Reflections on the French Revolution, para. 165)
Burke’s idea of a social contract between generations is often cited in contemporary debates about the spiraling nation debt of the United States. What do young and old citizens living today owe, as a matter of commutative justice, to generations of citizens who are not yet born? Is it just for today’s citizens to demand policies (e.g., low taxes and high levels of government service) that create huge debts for future generations to pay?
In Chapter 1 of your textbook, justice is analyzed from three perspectives, each with its own set of relevant concepts. The text includes three case studies for consideration from each perspective. Select one (only one) of these case studies as the focus of your initial post in this discussion. Then analyze the selected case study from the justice perspective which accompanies it and answer the following questions.
a. If you select “Case Study 1.1 – Jacob Little and Walmart,” analyze it from the perspective of justice as a moral concept. Your analysis must address the following questions:
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§ Did Walmart offer Jacob a just wage? Why or why not?
§ Was the alderman’s decision to let Walmart operate in the city just? Why or why not?
§ If you were the alderman, what would you do to more fully promote justice in the situation? Why?
b. If you select “Case Study 1.2 – Just Desserts?,” analyze it from the perspective of justice as a legal concept.
§ Was the court’s sentence for Mr. Allen just? Why or why not?
§ Was the court’s sentence for Mr. Brown just? Why or why not?
§ If you were the judge presiding over both of these trials, what would you do to more fully promote justice in them? Why?
c. If you select “Case Study 1.3 – Honor the Sabbath or Keep Your Job,” analyze it from the perspective of justice as a religious concept.
§ Did Chief Gerst treat Corporal Brown justly? Why or why not?
§ Did Corporal Brown act justly after his agreement with Chief Gerst? Why or why not?
§ If you were the Chief of TSU’s Police department, what would you do to more fully promote justice in the situation? Why?