Towards Sustainable Economic Development and Social Justice

Abstract

Chapter 7 discussed the relationship between economic development and quality of life, which depends overwhelmingly on the challenges and opportunities that people are faced with. This chapter discusses the issue of social justice, which is seen here essentially as the outcome of sustained and inclusive economic development. It begins with a discussion of the relationship between economic growth and social justice, which is followed by a discussion on a paradigm shift towards social justice. There is a reciprocal relationship between social justice and social development; whether social justice will be achieved will depend largely on the structural transformation growth to support sustained economic and social development. It is also argued here that social justice cannot be achieved without economic justice, which is seen here as the foundation of social justice. Finally, it is argued that social harmony can be achieved only when the conditions of a participatory and distributive justice have been fulfilled.