ABSTRACT
The cohesiveness of a democratic society is founded on a shared feeling that the achievem ent of health equity is a central consideration for policy makers. However, this ultim ate goal over the long term is often too far-sighted for policy makers. Politicians are accountable to their constituents over rather shorter periods of time than would be required to observe the effect of policy on the fair distribution of im provem ents in health. Society's expectation of justice includes both concerns about the processes by which equity in health is to be achieved, and about the fair distribution of healthcare .1 In this chapter, although we focus on the distribution of health services, we are, of course, mindful that this is only a part of a m uch broader debate about health and justice in society.
