Running Head: GLOBAL HEALTH
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7-3 Short Paper: Theories of Justice and Global Health
HRM 630
SNHU
GLOBAL HEALTH
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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 to avoid contributing or causing any kind of harm
abroad. The effects of the global institutions also need to be analysed. Moreover, there must be
several institutional reforms 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 factors like corruption as well as poor
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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
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 to ensure the fulfilment 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 fulfilment of the basic rights of the
individuals. The weakness of this theory is that the response of Henry Shue is 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 aid people who are living in unfavourable conditions that
prevent them from leading a decent life. 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 several criticisms due to its
potential weaknesses. One of the significant weaknesses of this theory is that the theory focuses
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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.
