Justice as Fairness: John Rawls
John Rawls argued that in order to have justice there must be fairness in all levels of society. In the context of who gets what and why they get it Rawls proposed that there should be no equal wealth distribution. In other words justice and fairness can be achieved without resorting to socialism. Rawls pointed out that this can be achieved if men and women come together and decide that there must be equality when it comes to the assignment of basic rights and duties.
He also added that although it is imperative that members of that society come to terms with the fact that there will be inequalities in terms of wealth and authority it is permitted for the attainment of the common good. In addition Rawls said that even though there are those who will start out with greater wealth and greater status in the community, everyone must be given a chance to reach the same level of affluence and authority if they so choose to be one.
Rich and Poor: Peter Singer
Peter Singer said that there are rich and poor people in this world. However, he clarified that many are not aware of the seriousness of the divide between rich and poor. There are those who thought that they are poor and yet in fact they are not. Many citizens of affluent countries are living their life without the slightest clue that there is such a thing called absolute poverty. And it is a level of poverty wherein a human being cannot be expected to live life in a decent manner.
Children born into this type of poverty cannot even afford to eat correctly for their brain to grow the normal way. On the other hand people living in rich countries such as in the United States, Europe and oil-producing nations of the Middle-East will eat not to sustain their bodies but for enjoyment. This is unacceptable according to Singer and he proposed that the rich should give to the poor.
Exploitation of Need: Joanne B. Ciulla
Joanne Ciulla said that it is wrong to exploit the needy. She said that many justifications were made to ensure that exploiters have a clear conscience after they exploited the needy but she argued that this is wrong.
Even if he desperate mother or is in need of food there is no excuse for the shabby treatment she received from her employer. She also said that there can never be any type of justification that can be used to make slavery an acceptable practice.
A poor and desperate person enters into an agreement without her full consent because he or she was forced by circumstances. Although Ciulla opposes exploitation she is did not give a clear alternative. She said that workers should be paid and not be enslaved and yet she laments the loss of freedom that comes hand-in-hand with employment.
Conclusion
The best argument with regards to economic justice was spelled out clearly by Peter Singer when he pointed the huge gap between those who are truly rich and those who are truly poor. It may sound as if it is a dole out – a practice frowned upon by many in the West – but his argument is sound if one looks at it from the perspective of assisting someone who is stuck in a hole and could never get out of it unless an outsider is willing to offer a hand.
Singer’s proposal is even more helpful if one will realize the chain-reaction of events that will occur if there are less hungry and desperate people around the world. There would be a reduction in forced migration, less sickness, more productivity, and less number of desperate young men who may be attracted to terrorism or banditry as a way of life.