Social Justice in an Open World: The Role of the United Nations
misunderstandingand neglect of the basic desire of every human being for productive work and the opportunity to express creativity and initiative. Similarly, those individuals, experts, non-governmental groups and international institutions that were sincerely committed to the development of what was then referred to as the third world often allowed their thoughts and actions to be shaped and guided by an excessive idealism and faith in the a priori "dedication to the public good" of the ruling classes of countries that had suffered great injustices in the distant and recent past and were still in a position of political inferiority. In contexts such as these, realism and sometimes cynicism tend to flourish, and the conception of internationaljustice as fair competition on an open field is likely to prevail.
6.4 The dangers of a world indifferent to justice A common response to the suggestion that justice is no longer a concern for the dominant political elite is that history is made up of cycles, with each period correcting the excesses and imbalances of the previous period. This type of statement, usually made by persons who are not excessively interested in or knowledgeable about political doctrines and issues, implies a fatalistic or providential view of history. It suggests a kind of detachment from the evolution of society, a justification for inaction. It is a fundamentally conservative view. It seems more appropriate, especially in these times, to consider trends as modifiable and problems as solvable. There is no guarantee that the world will alter its course and evolve towards less violence and less injustice, but positive changes will not occur without considered thought and political action. Another common belief is that a change in the political majority in a few leading countries would set things right. The election of left-leaning parliaments and Governments would restore the focus on justice. This hope is not without foundation, but meaningful political action requires a coherent and internally consistent view of the state of the nation (and of the world, in this age of interdependence) and of what is desirable. The neglect of social and international justice is not entirely due to the domination of countries and social classes whose interests are well served (in their own estimation, if not in that of the objective or impartial observer) by the present state of affairs; there are a great many conceptual and political problems that must be addressed, and many questions that must be properly formulated, before alternative or corrective measures can be developed to restore the commitment to justice as a global priority. The Forum identified a number of problems that have emerged in connection with the dramatic developments of the past several decades, as well as the likely consequences of a continuation of present trends. When inequalities between the various groups or classes in society reach a certain level, social mobility is hampered. It is generally agreed that for the effective functioning of society, and perhaps for its survival under conditions of freedom and individual initiative, a degree of social