Social justice as well-being: a radical rethinking of social work and social policy

This paper aims to develop a concept of social justice specifically applicable to social welfare policy. The theories of justice of Rawls, Sen, and Sandel are critically discussed. Then, a concept of social justice as well-being is suggested, and two lines of moral argument underpinning the concept are explained. Central to the concept is the notion that the social welfare system must provide equal opportunities for all the people so that they can meet their basic needs. The concept of social justice provides a normative framework for guiding the policy practice of social workers and may assist in the building of more just societies in both Hong Kong and Macao in China.