ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explores various ways of grounding a theory of global justice. The areas of concern help form the environment by which he can think about theories and their justifications. Justice can be both an emphasis upon right actions by individuals as well as a broad social term commending the way the state treats its citizens. Many political theorists have postulated a social contract between citizens and the state to which they belong. Though this form of justification for social/political theory seems to be strongest within a nation rather than in the international sphere, one modern practitioner of contractarianism has extended contract theory to the international sphere. Most texts on international justice and ethics create scenarios that appeal to the reader's intuitive response. Another key contender for justifying principles that would support progressive policies for international social and political justice comes from utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is easily adaptable to free-market and socialist-based capitalism.
