Reading Deuteronomy 16:20 in the frame of John Rawls' justice as fairness: Implications for social justice and political order in Nigeria

Abstract

Deut 16:20 unequivocally articulates justice as an indispensable element for societal well-being and sustained political order for the nascent Israelite nation. The text asserts that there is no viable alternative to justice in ensuring the prosperity of the people in the Promised Land. Today, justice has indisputably become the bedrock of any flourishing society across the globe. This notion resonates with John Rawls’ description of justice as the primary virtue of social institutions. The Nigerian experience, however, presents a contradictory and complex dynamic in which justice is frequently undermined by governance deficits and the flagrant negation of true democratic principles, resulting in a myriad of social injustices. The paper aims to interpret Deut 16:20 within the theoretical framework of John Rawls’ justice as fairness, with the intent of showing the implications for social justice and political order in Nigerian society. The paper employs critical social theory to critique Nigeria’s social justice situation and interpret Deut 16:20 through the lens of African biblical hermeneutics. The findings indicate that while Deut 16:20 socio-historically addresses ancient Israel, the biblical text is contextually amenable to the contemporary Nigerian social justice situation. Furthermore, it shows that the oppression of marginalised groups by privileged elites significantly contributes to the entrenchment of political disorder in Nigeria. The paper concludes that it is imperative that Nigeria prioritise social justice issues while ensuring equitable governance. Only through reforms that favour the disadvantaged masses can the nation hope to realise its democratic aspirations and secure a fair society for all its citizens.