Nor can this development be counteracted by international conventions on social and ecological topics, unless the conventions are backed up by adequate sanctioning mechanisms. 4.2 Social justice Social justice is part of sustainable development. Social justice is a globally valid principle intended to minimize adequately differences in welfare. The social obligations that go with property are an important factor determining social justice. The responsibility of industrialized countries in the current constellation of world politics is based on ethical and moral reasons, in particular on their historical obligation and the current economic dependency of many developing and emerging countries on industrialized countries.
Industrialized countries have a special responsibility with regard to maintaining world peace.
Violent social conflicts and ecological crises can endanger industrialized countries severely as well. New information and communication technologies can be a great help in this context if their possible negative effects on social behavior are avoided. In addition to the above direct measures, the awareness of the need for sustainable development in the general public has to be raised. Local responsible action by individual states must be accompanied by responsible action on the part of the international community of states. This should include sanctions in cases of offences against international law, independent monitoring with modest means, expansion of the International Court of Justice.