Rethinking Justice

In the latest episode of All Things Conflict, I welcome back philosopher and systemic thinker Paul Baker for his fourth appearance on the show. This time, we take on one of society’s most difficult and urgent topics: justice, what it is, why it fails, and how we might redesign it for a better future.

Together, we go deeper into the subject of our current Series – Justice Redesigned. We unravel the human need for accountability in systems that often resist scrutiny. From institutional scandals to everyday ethical dilemmas, they illuminate why our current approaches to justice so often fall short, and what a more compassionate, generative model could look like.

🔥 Scandals, Cover-Ups, and Systemic Failure
From corporate misdeeds to political scandals, we discuss why institutions repeatedly fall into patterns of denial and concealment. We explore how fear of punishment fuels secrecy, ultimately deepening public mistrust.

🔦 Transparency vs. Fear
The episode digs into the tension between transparency and self-protection, why people often hide mistakes, and how systems can encourage honesty without invoking fear.

📚 Real-World Examples of Injustice
We reflect on major public failures, including:

• The Hillsborough disaster
• The Post Office scandal
• Modern slavery and exploitation hidden in plain sight

💡 From Retributive to Generative Justice

One of the episode’s most powerful insights is the call to move beyond retributive justice, where punishment is the primary aim, toward generative justice, which emphasizes healing, learning, and improvement. This shift not only supports victims but also strengthens systems to prevent harm in the future.

🎧 A Must-Listen for Anyone Interested in Conflict and Social Change

This thought-provoking conversation challenges listeners to rethink what justice truly means. We invite you to envision a world where accountability leads not to fear and hiding, but to transformation and repair.

Tune in to this episode of All Things Conflict and explore how reimagining justice could change the way we address conflict at every level, from personal relationships to global institutions.