Theories of Justice in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
Keywords:
South Africa, Constitution, justiceAbstract
In this paper, the author analyzes the South African Constitution (1996), based upon and codifying major principles of justice in the Republic of South Africa. The purpose of the paper is to determine which theories of justice motivated it, are reflected in it, and are meant to be protected by it. The analysis reveals that at least four major ways of thinking about justice are illustrated, to one degree or another, in the document.
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