CONFLICTS OF JUSTICE

Abstract

The paper discusses the conflicts related to just distribution of goods in accordance with local and contextual criteria. M. Walzer’s conception of “spheres of justice” is used as a theoretical approach and research methodology. The research justifies the idea that contemporary society uses differentiated criteria of distributive justice that are applied in a specific “sphere” of justice. Walzer’s conception of distributive justice involves the idea that we should not look for a single universal criteria that would regulate the just distribution of goods and resources various by their nature. It is shown that his conception of the “local” foundations of justice critically depends on the underlying idea of “complex justice” with its distinction between a monopoly and a dominant good. The shortcoming of the traditional theories of justice is that they focus on weakening or removing the monopoly of a certain specific good, while its possible unjust domination with the corresponding way of distribution remain ignored. To avoid the conflicts it is important to prevent the violation of the borders between these spheres, as it leads to unjust domination and the conflicts of justice. One of the most common violations of justice in present-day society is the unwarranted tendency towards the domination of market criteria for access to goods and resources which creates unjust advantages in a society for certain social groups while restricting value aspirations of other groups.