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Unveiling the Imperative of Distributive Justice in Science, Technology, and Development: A Legal Analysis

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Revolutionary Approach to International Law

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Abstract

The collective social purpose and the idea of justice derived from the desire for equality in opportunity, one of the oldest political ideals that have been pursued by reformists and initiated numerous social movements. Inequality can manifest in different ways, but the lack of equal access to resources for development is a key factor and can lead to other forms of inequality. Developed economies based on science and technology hold more sway in international politics than developing and underdeveloped countries. Hence, equal access to science and technology is crucial in determining political power. The chapter explores theories of distributive justice to guide science and technology policies and suggests the need for an international framework to ensure equal opportunity in scientific advancement for all people. This framework can be achieved through utilizing different aspects of international law for just science and technology development.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Frohlich (2007).

  2. 2.

    Ibid, 256.

  3. 3.

    Reis (1984).

  4. 4.

    Tyler (1984).

  5. 5.

    The theme of inequalities and justice is proposed as an inclusive intellectual framework that captures a variety of issues concerning differences in society. Equality and justice both represent egalitarianism and fairness. Without equality, true justice cannot exist; and without a way to deliver just verdicts that ensure impartial treatment, the meaning of equality is nothing more than an unenforced altruism. See Yue (2019).

  6. 6.

    Ibid.

  7. 7.

    Hess et al. (2016).

  8. 8.

    Karim et al. (2018): 163–181.

  9. 9.

    Van Wyngaard (2022).

  10. 10.

    Kim (2020).

  11. 11.

    Shavit and Westerbeek (1998).

  12. 12.

    Crocker (1998).

  13. 13.

    For example, according to research by Action Aid, hunger might be costing under-developed and developing countries USD 11 billion annually in the coming days, and the so-called international organizations have failed so far to find an equitable solution to that. The most horrific fact is that the developed world has not yet taken this into account to address. See International Institute for Sustainable Development (2016). It seems that they do not feel that the African or Asian problem is not their problem, but the American, Europe, or West problems are the world’s problems. Similar connotation is drawn by the External Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar at the Howard University Founders Library in Washington. See Europe has to grow out of mindset that its problems are world’s problems: Jaishankar. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/europe-has-to-grow-out-of-mindset-that-its-problems-are-worlds-problems-jaishankar-7951895.

  14. 14.

    Mandle (2000).

  15. 15.

    Allen-Handy et al. (2021).

  16. 16.

    Huh and Park (2021).

  17. 17.

    Ibid.

  18. 18.

    See generally Bohman (1999). Also see Druckman and Albin (2011).

  19. 19.

    Royakkers et al. (2018).

  20. 20.

    Resnik and Elliott (2016).

  21. 21.

    Albrechtslund (2007).

  22. 22.

    Van Dijk (2006).

  23. 23.

    Vaandering (2011).

  24. 24.

    See Ake (1975).

  25. 25.

    Sen (1992).

  26. 26.

    Ibid, 16–19.

  27. 27.

    Ibid.

  28. 28.

    Ibid, 13–23.

  29. 29.

    Cozzens (2007).

  30. 30.

    Sharif (2012).

  31. 31.

    Cozzens (2007).

  32. 32.

    See Allan (1988).

  33. 33.

    Ibid.

  34. 34.

    Van Krieken (2019).

  35. 35.

    Wells (1989).

  36. 36.

    For example: Schwartz (1996); Cane (2001); Coleman (1991); Shmueli (2014).

  37. 37.

    Loth (2015).

  38. 38.

    Ibid, 804–808.

  39. 39.

    Kronman (1979). See also Jimenez (2015).

  40. 40.

    Scheffler (2015).

  41. 41.

    Sugin (2003).

  42. 42.

    Sadurski (1985).

  43. 43.

    Koskenniemi (2001).

  44. 44.

    See generally Paulsson (2005).

  45. 45.

    Ibid.

  46. 46.

    Waltz (2001).

  47. 47.

    Karim et al. (2018): 163.

  48. 48.

    International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 Dec. 1966 (entry into force 3 Jan. 1976, in accordance with article 27). https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights.

  49. 49.

    Smith (2022).

  50. 50.

    Ibid, 166.

  51. 51.

    Sand (2011).

  52. 52.

    Impacts of Scientific and Technological Progress on Human Rights: Normative Response of the International Community. http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu06he/uu06he0c.htm.

  53. 53.

    Ibid.

  54. 54.

    Ibid.

  55. 55.

    Ibid.

  56. 56.

    Karim et al. (2018): 163.

  57. 57.

    Ibid.

  58. 58.

    Crane et al. (2009).

  59. 59.

    Berman (2004).

  60. 60.

    Lu (2011).

  61. 61.

    See generally Benvenisti and Downs (2007).

  62. 62.

    Caney (2001).

  63. 63.

    See generally Jackson (2006).

  64. 64.

    Fraser (2009).

  65. 65.

    Rawls (1971).

  66. 66.

    Ibid.

  67. 67.

    Ibid.

  68. 68.

    Cohen (1997).

  69. 69.

    Majtényi (2004).

  70. 70.

    Castiglione et al. (1995).

  71. 71.

    Ibid, 18.

  72. 72.

    Ibid, 24–25.

  73. 73.

    Rawls (1993a).

  74. 74.

    Rawls (1971), pp 255–256.

  75. 75.

    Rawls (1993c).

  76. 76.

    Ibid, 3.

  77. 77.

    Ibid.

  78. 78.

    Wilkins (2007).

  79. 79.

    Collste (2005).

  80. 80.

    Marneffe (2014).

  81. 81.

    Rawls (1971), p 280.

  82. 82.

    Held (1995).

  83. 83.

    Rawls (1993b).

  84. 84.

    Doyle and Stiglitz (2014).

  85. 85.

    Devlin and Sukhatme (2009).

  86. 86.

    Lemley (2015).

  87. 87.

    Karim et al. (2018): 163–181.

  88. 88.

    Cozzens (2007).

  89. 89.

    Mitchell et al. (2012).

  90. 90.

    Scott et al. (2011).

  91. 91.

    Rawls (1985).

  92. 92.

    Douglas (2015).

  93. 93.

    Blake and Smith (2013).

  94. 94.

    Rawls (2005).

  95. 95.

    Ibid.

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  1. Department of Business Law and Taxation, School of Business, Monash University, Sunway Campus, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Ridoan Karim

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    Eric Yong Joong Lee

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Karim, R. (2023). Unveiling the Imperative of Distributive Justice in Science, Technology, and Development: A Legal Analysis. In: Lee, E.Y.J. (eds) Revolutionary Approach to International Law. International Law in Asia. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7967-5_4

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