Discussion Questions on Swift's Chapter on Justice (I)

1. In what ways can a society (as opposed to individuals) be just or unjust? Hayek argues that in fact societies are not the sort of thing that can be just or unjust. How does Swift respond?

2. Is it possible for individuals to behave justly in an unjust society and to behave unjustly in a just society?

3. Swift distinguishes between the concept of justice and various specific conceptions of justice. What is the difference? What are the central elements in the concept of justice?

4. What is the relevance of democracy to social justice? Is democracy just? Can democracies be unjust? Can undemocratic states be just?