BIZCHINA> Review & Analysis
Giving privileges to rich people hurts social justice
By Sun Liping (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-08-21 08:56

It sounds plausible but the practice, beyond any doubt, is actually shaking the very foundations of social life and does damage to social justice.

Social justice constitutes one of the foundations of modern civilization and it is guaranteed largely by the basic equal rights enjoyed by all citizens. These privilege-giving practices, however, actually erode the basic order of justice.

Behind these measures loom opportunist considerations. Superficially, some measures may help promote the development of the private sector in the short term.

But society will pay dearly in the long run if social justice and citizens' equal rights are encroached upon.

In this scenario, the economy will suffer, contrary to the wishes of the people who introduce such economically motivated policies.

As a matter of fact, the exam-score addition measure in Zhangzhou has backfired. On the one hand, the policy has failed to give incentives to private entrepreneurs as expected, because some children of these big taxpayers were sent to other parts of the country for schooling, or even overseas. Some kids are too young to be sent to school and others are too old to be called students.

On the other hand, however, social justice is trampled over. If children are living in the shadows of social injustice when very young, society as a whole is bound to pay big prices in the future.

Social justice is sacred and should never be victimized with any excuse. It makes up the basis for social stability.

The government should, therefore, see to it that citizens have equal rights and, in turn, that social justice will remain immune to any harm done by expediencies, including those in the name of "promoting economic efficiency."

Every citizen is equal in enjoying these basic social rights. And no differentiation should be made between citizens by their economic contribution. No discriminating rights should be given.


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