<Original Articles>Ecology, Time, and the Global Economy: Towards a Critical-Relational Theory of Global Justice

Abstract

Thomas Pogge presents a relational theory of global justice. He suggests that, in the present global economy, the global affluent have a special relationship, and thus a special responsibility, to the global poor. However, Pogge has failed in causal attribution. This paper aims to present an alternative relational theory which can avoid this failure. Drawing from critical social science, I shall argue that two kinds of injustice - injustice in ecological space and injustice in time - can be causally attributed to the present global economy. Also, I shall apply this argument to support Iris Marion Young's model of responsibility.