Justice is one of the most abused and misunderstood terms in modern discourse.  Politicians, activists, and authoritarian regimes invoke it to stir emotion and gain support, often without understanding or caring about its true meaning.  The word “justice” comes from the Latin justitia, meaning fairness or righteousness.  How is it abused in practice?  Justice is not a tool for imposing arbitrary ideals.  It’s the principle of giving each individual what they are due, without infringing on the rights of others.

True justice doesn’t change based on who is in power.  Politicians often redefine justice to suit their agendas, promising fairness while creating systems riddled with coercion.  These manipulations serve only to cloud judgment and mislead the public.  Every new regime claims to bring “real” justice, yet the promises are rarely fulfilled.  Leaders who speak of “social justice” often disregard the actual individual, treating people as mere members of groups.  Justice isn’t about groups, it’s about individuals.

Most of us naturally prefer fairness to exploitation, just as we prefer health to disease.  Yet statists often convince us that injustice is necessary for some “greater good.” They ask for obedience to plans that promise utopia but deliver chaos.  The history of such promises is stained with failure—tyranny, poverty, and violence.  The true fruits of statism are not equality or prosperity but control and dependency.  Justice can’t be built on these foundations.

Real justice operates through voluntary cooperation.  In a free society, individuals align their actions with the principle of mutual benefit.  Cooperation, guided by the division of labor, ensures fairness without the need for centralized force.  This isn’t a human invention—it is a principle of reality.  You succeed by serving others, not by coercing them.  History shows that societies flourish when individuals freely exchange value, not when they are forced to conform.

Justice and freedom are inseparable.  Without freedom, justice becomes a facade, manipulated by those in power.  Political “justice” is often just a mask for statism, imposing obligations on some while excusing others.  True justice treats all as equals under the law, recognizing their autonomy and dignity.  Misusing the term “justice” erodes civilization.  To preserve society, we must respect justice’s true meaning—rooted in freedom and voluntary interaction.  Only then can humanity solve its greatest challenges.

Reference

Erick von Kuehnelt-Leddihn; Leftism