SOCIAL JUSTICE BEYOND DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE: THE RECLAMATION OF ITS PARTICIPATIVE DIMENSION

Abstract

The article problematizes the tendency to reduce the concept of social justice to the distributive dimension within modern moral and political philosophy. Drawing upon the insights of Catholic social tradition and Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, the article attempts to retrieve the participative and contributive dimensions of social justice by highlighting a person’s freedom and obligation to participate in the socio-political, economic, and cultural processes by contributing to the common good. Anchoring on these dimensions of social justice facilitates a greater appreciation of the depth and richness of the concept. Firstly, within the current moral and political philosophy, the article highlights the three dominant reductive tendencies, drawing upon the comprehensive analysis of Ursula Nothelle-Wildfeuer. Secondly, it explores the trajectory of social justice in Catholic social tradition and the Capability Approach. Thirdly, it accentuates the participative and contributive aspects as constitutive to social justice.