This book investigates the fundamental question of how different societies define and implement the principles of social justice. David Miller, a prominent political theorist, examines the competing frameworks of rights, desert, and need to determine how these concepts shape distributive justice. By analyzing the philosophical contributions of Hume, Spencer, and Kropotkin, Miller argues that variations in social justice outlooks are not arbitrary but are deeply rooted in the specific structural features of a society.

Scholars and students of political philosophy frequently cite this work as a rigorous exploration of the pluralistic nature of justice. Experts highlight the text for its clear articulation of complex theoretical tensions and its systematic approach to comparative political thought.