The global ethic and African conceptions of social justice, law and order: an appraisal

Abstract

The preoccupation with a more just and peaceful world today is a concern of many legal experts, faith leaders, policy makers and leading thinkers. This paper examines the Global Ethic, as espoused by the Parliament of World Religions and affirmed by the Kuala Lumpur Consultation, which was held in Malaysia in October 2010 and its applicability on matters of governance. It is argued in this paper that African societies are a good example of how the Global Ethic has been integrated into indigenous legal systems in Africa. This is a clear evidence that the Global Ethic can indeed be integrated into International Law in order to ensure a more just and peaceful international order. Focusing on indigenous spiritualities, which are the epitome of the Global Ethic at the local level, the paper argues that African societies are founded on strong moral values which have become the basis of indigenous legal systems which in turn promote social justice, law and order in society.