The present situation There are grave disparities between industrialized and developing countries already today, and growing disparities within individual countries. The competition set off by globalization makes these disparities even more extreme. Social dumping causes a downward spiral, which cannot be managed with current tools. 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.