ABSTRACT
The idea of international social justice is inherently problematic. This has practical consequences since it multiplies the difficulties of dealing with international problems aggravated by issues of 'social justice'. The need to respond to the threat of global warming is one such problem. This chapter examines how global democracy could help in dealing with the issues of international social justice that complicate responses to global warming. 'Social justice' is in effect a modern terra for the old idea of distributive justice. The necessary linkage between the ideas of social justice and society is conceived in terms of the especial moral relationships amongst the members of a society. There is now a wide literature on global environmental problems, particularly global warming which emphasizes the need for the emerging regime to be based on principles of equity and justice. The chapter considers the argument that problems with international social justice can be resolved by global democracy bringing about a global community.
