Is America a just society?

Those are some lofty questions. People have different takes on justice and their version doesn’t always match the justice system we have in place. Does our criminal justice system promote justice? It seems to be the facade, yes, but it doesn’t actually uphold it when it comes to certain classes or races. Do our political institutions uphold it? They hold some of our biggest criminals in reverence, that’s for sure. As per your last question, justice is supposed to be served when a crime is committed but that doesn’t always happen. Money talks.

like many thing justice is very subjective.

I’ve always felt our systems have promoted punishment more than justice, that’s not to say justice can not be had and isn’t sought through both systems.

well, one relationship is that crime has the power to bring about a want for justice. without crime our concept of justice would likely revolve more around inequality.

In a recent thread I pointed out in detail how the USA no longer respects the 1st and 4th Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Without those rights compromised how can America be a Just Society?

With elected judges answerable to those political hacks in their party, justice is a hit and miss proposition. With political corruption diverting leaders from serving those who elected them to serving those power brokers in big business who control their party’s agendas, democracy is a sad hoax.

American is an unfulfilled promise enshrined in a constitution that is honored more in its abuse than its implementation.

There’s always hope for the future, but that will take real change.

No, I don’t believe it is a just society.

The concept of justice is the little comfort offered to people who have been victimized by other people. And, at it’s best, is supposed to be a promise of sorts to stop the same crime from happening again to more innocent people.

It fails in this regard.
It fails because it is impossible to punish enough to change the nature of man.
It fails because it is profitable for the problem to never go away.
It fails because by the time it becomes a criminal issue the damage has already been done and you can’t unspill the milk.

Justice is to crime as condoms are to an already pregnant woman. Too little, too late and totally besides the point.

Juster than many. I’m glad to be here.

I agree with @Austinlad. We’re more just than a lot of other countries, probably less just than several.

Where you get into trouble is assuming that things are always fair and just in America (or any country), or conversely, that our large systemic problems (racism, class system, corporatism) mean that there is no justice.

@Austinlad @Mamradpivo What countries would those “less just” countries be and why?
What makes a country just?

Do people get what they deserve? No.
Is justice blind? No.
Is the justice system effective at reducing crime? No.
Is it effective at punishing people? Yes.
Do people get rewarded according to their ability? No.
Can we say there is no unreasonable discrimination? No.
Does everyone get access to the same quality education? No.
Does everyone get access to the health care they need? No.

You tell me. Is America a just society?

wunday. Which countries would you identify as being more just and why?