ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the tension between a narrow, exclusive notion of 'justice for just us' on one hand, and a more expansive, inclusive notion of 'justice beyond just us' on the other. It illustrates the connection between 'justice' and 'us'. The book examines various dilemmas that emerge when considering historical time, geographic place, and socio-demographic difference. It explores how justice is defined in American political thought, paying special attention to procedural and distributive justice. The book examines different responses to the facts of pluralism and multiculturalism in American society. In response to arguments in favor of a homogeneous culture and narrowly-defined American national identity that effectively promotes justice for socio-demographically privileged in-groups. Despite a shared national territory, Americans live in spatially isolated as well as economically and racially segregated geographic communities.
