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Running Head: GLOBAL HEALTH
7-3 Short Paper: Theories of Justice and Global Health
HRM 630
SNHU
Feb 20,2022
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GLOBAL HEALTH
In the report “Global health and national borders: the ethics of foreign aid in a time of
financial crisis”, four theories of justice have been presented relating to global health. The
first theory of justice is the theory suggested by Peter Singer. It is relating to the requirement
to help others who are in need. The main concept of the theory is that it is the responsibility
or obligation of the individuals to prevent something bad from happening if they have the
capability to do so at acceptable costs (Johri et al., 2012). The rich individuals around the
globe can lower the suffering of the poor in the world by making little sacrifices. Some f the
ways in which individuals can help others are by providing essential health care and
alleviating poverty among people. One of the key strengths of this theory of Peter Singer is
that the obligation of individuals towards others mentioned by him is simple, true, and
general. However, there are also weaknesses of this theory. One of the significant weaknesses
of this theory is that if individuals spend maximum time in lowering the sufferings of other
people, it can endanger the well-being of the individuals themselves.
The second theory that has been presented in the report is Thomas Pogge’s theory on
global institutions and the duty not to harm. According to the theory, individuals have a duty
or obligation not to cause any kind of severe harm for minor gain (Johri et al., 2012). As per
the theory, national policies must be examined in order to avoid contributing or causing any
kind of harm abroad. The effects of the global institutions also need to be analyzed.
Moreover, there must be a number of institutional reforms in order to promote the satisfaction
of human rights. The extent of this obligation is until the casual responsibility for any kind of
harm has been corrected as well as adequately compensated. The theory of Pogge challenges
people to contemplate the relationship between inequality and severe poverty around the
globe. One of the strengths of this theory is that the theory focuses on the unfair global order
where the affluent individuals are benefited the most. One of the weaknesses of this theory is
that the empirical description of global order made by Pogge may not be accurate as local
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GLOBAL HEALTH
factors like corruption as well as poor governance play a more important role in shedding
light on the poverty state of the developing countries.
The third theory mentioned in the report is Henry Shue’s theory on basic rights. The
main focus of this theory is on basic rights such as economic rights in international affairs.
Henry believes that at the core of economic rights is the subsistence rights. The key concept
of this theory is that security as well as subsistence forms the pre-conditions essential for the
exercise and enjoyment of all freedoms and rights (Johri et al., 2012). It is the duty or
obligation of the liberal democratic states to adopt foreign policies that are in line with these
basic human rights. The right to subsistence ensures that every individual in the world has a
decent chance to lead a healthy as well as long life. Aids need to be provided in order to
ensure the fulfillment of subsistence rights relating to minimal preventive health care as well
as social determinants of health. One of the strengths of this theory is that the theory focuses
on the fulfillment of the basic rights of the individuals. The weakness of this theory is that the
response of Henry Shue is considered to be ambivalent. It falls short of establishing universal
duties towards the individuals who are deprived of all the basic rights.
The fourth theory of justice that has been presented in the report is John Rawls’
theory of the duty of assistance. The main concept of this theory is that under an idealized
social contract, representatives of equal and free societies will be able to adapt the 8
principles of governance, thereby enabling the global community to live in harmony as well
as mutual respect (Johri et al., 2012). It is the duty of individuals to provide assistance to
people who are living in unfavorable conditions that prevent them from leading a decent life.
In order to ensure better social development, equal opportunities need to be provided to both
men as well as women. One of the strengths of this theory proposed by John Rawls is that it
considers political injustice to be one of the greatest evils in the history of humanity.
However, this theory has also faced a number of criticisms due to its potential weaknesses.
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GLOBAL HEALTH
One of the significant weaknesses of this theory is that the theory focuses on the population
of a nation as a whole and not on the individuals. In such a theory, the individuals are likely
to be poorly served.
References
Johri, M., Chung, R., Dawson, A., & Schrecker, T. (2012). Global health and national
borders: the ethics of foreign aid in a time of financial crisis.@Globalization and
health,@8(1), 1-10.
