<P> The same UN document offers a concise history: "(T) he notion of social justice is relatively new . None of history's great philosophers--not Plato or Aristotle, or Confucius or Averroes, or even Rousseau or Kant--saw the need to consider justice or the redress of injustices from a social perspective . The concept first surfaced in Western thought and political language in the wake of the industrial revolution and the parallel development of the socialist doctrine . It emerged as an expression of protest against what was perceived as the capitalist exploitation of labour and as a focal point for the development of measures to improve the human condition . It was born as a revolutionary slogan embodying the ideals of progress and fraternity . Following the revolutions that shook Europe in the mid-1800s, social justice became a rallying cry for progressive thinkers and political activists...By the mid-twentieth century, the concept of social justice had become central to the ideologies and programmes of virtually all the leftist and centrist political parties around the world ..." </P> <P> The present - day Jāti hierarchy is undergoing changes for a variety of reasons including' social justice', which is a politically popular stance in democratic India . Institutionalized affirmative action has promoted this . The disparity and wide inequalities in social behaviour of the jātis--exclusive, endogamous communities centred on traditional occupations--has led to various reform movements in Hinduism . While legally outlawed, the caste system remains strong in practice . </P> <P> In Muslim history, Islamic governance has often been associated with social justice . Establishment of social justice was one of the motivating factors of the Abbasid revolt against the Umayyads . The Shi'a believe that the return of the Mahdi will herald in "the messianic age of justice" and the Mahdi along with the Isa (Jesus) will end plunder, torture, oppression and discrimination . </P> <P> For the Muslim Brotherhood the implementation of social justice would require the rejection of consumerism and communism . The Brotherhood strongly affirmed the right to private property as well as differences in personal wealth due to factors such as hard work . However, the Brotherhood held Muslims had an obligation to assist those Muslims in need . It held that zakat (alms - giving) was not voluntary charity, but rather the poor had the right to assistance from the more fortunate . Most Islamic governments therefore enforce the zakat through taxes . </P>

What are some u.s. values about social justice