Social Justice in an Open World: The Role of the United Nations
facto confers special rights. Those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder are becoming increasingly convinced that they should enjoy equality before the law, benefiting from the same rights as their wealthier and more fortunate compatriots. Around the world, a growing number of individuals and societies are embracing the view that it is only differences in income and wealth that constitute a legitimate justification for a social hierarchy and social classes and for differential access to various goods and amenities. At least in principle, this social stratification on the basis of income and wealth is not only consonant with, but in fact necessitates, equality of rights. Recent United Nations texts, including the Millennium Declaration, emphasize the importance of ensuring equality of opportunities. For countries, this requires the provision of a level playing field for trade, financial dealings, intellectual property transactions and other aspects of international relations so that all those participating in the world economy may enjoy a reasonable chance of success. If this enabling environment existed everywhere, countries that faced difficulty integrating into the global economy would theoretically have only their defective national policies to blame. It can be argued that internationaljustice is more likely to be achieved through this approach, based on responsibility and partnership in a context of openness, than through the perpetuation of the traditional North-South relationship-particularly since the latter is characterized by paternalistic attitudes inherited from colonialism and a system of domination and dependence that increases the likelihood of confrontation. It is more dignified for developing countries to play by a set of fair international rules governing trade and finance, even if they must struggle at first, than to beg for assistance. In any case, aid is still being provided and has even grown in recent years, though it is increasingly being directed towards the poorer countries, otherwise referred to as low-income or least developed countries. This is in line with the concept of internationaljustice, which incorporates an element of charity for those seriously disadvantaged. Such charity is seen as temporary, however, for the objective of international organizations is to bring all nations into the mainstream of the global economy. Ultimately, the distinction between developed, developing and least developed countries should disappear as all nations and regional groupings compete and cooperate within an evolving global milieu. For individuals and groups, equality of opportunities essentially means the absence of discrimination and the existence of a climate of social freedom in which each person can follow his or her calling, engaging in productive work and being fairly compensated for such activity on the basis talent, effort and other personal attributes. This notion is not incorporated in the Charter of the United Nations or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but it does appear in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in two articles