NCJ Number
78544
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1981) Pages: 107-117
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper contends that criminologists should be making conscious and more direct contributions toward solutions to the increasing problems of global disorder, which stems from social injustice. A theoretical model of social justice is proposed and empirical studies are suggested.
Abstract
The basic premise of the argument is that social injustice is the major cause of social disorder and that the attainment of social justice is a necessary prelude to world peace and advancement. The evolutionary development of mankind is viewed as having realized the more primitive needs of physical safety and belonging, and as now experiencing a turbulent, 'adolescent' search for self-realization through liberty, freedom, individualism, free competition, and rights. The extreme forms of these attitudes lead to revolution, terrorist activities, riots, crimes, and delinquency. To correspond to this evolution of the self, man's social structure must now evolve toward the establishment of a world community. Tenacious loyalties to nations and states continue to compound world disorder in the form of such escalating problems as overpopulation, starvation, disease, pollution, energy shortages and terrorism. To eliminate these, self-actualized persons must assume leadership in planning and developing new social structures on a supranational level. In the political area, a world federal government must be formed; a world religion instituted, based on service to mankind; economic disparities between rich and poor nations reduced; education redirected toward the development of the self-actualized individual; and the family strengthened in its responsibility for child procreation and rearing. To these ends, criminologists should contribute to the theoretical framework for world justice by elucidating the causes of social disorder and developing a conceptual framework of factors for a unified society. Empirical studies should aim to develop measurement scales for such continuums as justice-injustice, unity-disunity, individualism-cooperation, growth enhancement-growth blocking, etc. These efforts should be undertaken through consultation among nations in recognition of the interdependence of all mankind. The reference list contains 10 entries.