Which concept emphasizes fairness in the processes that resolve disputes and allocate resources?

• A. Procedural Justice
• B. Retributive Justice
• C. Restorative Justice
• D. Ethical Relativism

Answer: (A)

Procedural justice centers on fairness in the processes used to resolve disputes and allocate resources. It emphasizes neutral decision-makers, consistent and transparent rules, giving people a voice in the process, and treating everyone with dignity and respect. When people perceive these processes as fair, they’re more likely to trust the decision-maker, accept the outcome, and feel that the system is legitimate—even if the result isn’t what they wanted. This focus on how decisions are reached, rather than on what the decision is, is what makes procedural justice the best fit for describing fairness in dispute resolution and resource allocation.

Retributive justice is about punishment that fits the offense, emphasizing the response to wrongdoing rather than how processes are conducted. Restorative justice centers on repairing harm and restoring relationships, often through involvement of victims and communities. Ethical relativism is a philosophical view about morality varying across cultures, not a framework for evaluating fairness in procedures.