Streams of Justice

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"Law, Crime and Punishment: The Coercive Strategies of Power"

Often the term “justice” is associated with the judicial system that regulates the various dimensions of social existence. Legal codes serve to define right and wrong, and their impartial application is required to maintain the orderly functioning of society. The legal system appears as the great impersonal guardian of truth and justice, the keeper of civility and public safety. In our society, the law occupies a place of unassailable authority and power.

We need to probe this realm of judicial authority to see what’s behind it. Who makes the laws that rule our lives? How did “the rule of law” come into existence? Who decides that certain acts are criminal, a deviation from the norm? Who benefits from the ways in which law and order are determined and enforced? What other cultural institutions align themselves with the coercive contours of power evident in the legal system? Is it possible that pursuing true justice puts us at odds with the legal norms defined by social and political power?

These are the issues we want to explore. Leading us in our consideration and discussion of these matters will be Craig Hathaway (retired criminologist/sociologist, teacher, social researcher, consultant to federal, provincial and municipal justice system agencies), Calvin Baird (philosopher and educator) and Elaine Chau (volunteer with PIVOT Legal Society).

[Recorded Monday, January 26, 2009]

Posted by Streams of Justice at 9:46 AM |

Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008

Capitalism & The Economics of Enough, Part 3 - Q & A

(50 downloads)

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Questions from the audience, with responses and further reflections from Paul Williams.

NOTE: The questions from the floor are not entirely audible, but the responses are certainly worth listening to.

(Recorded Monday, March 31, 2008)

Posted by Streams of Justice at 11:14 AM |

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008

Capitalism & The Economics of Enough, Part 2 - Calvin Baird

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Calvin Baird reflects philosophically on Paul William's presentation, and offers some potential questions for discussion.

(Recorded Monday, March 31, 2008)

Posted by Streams of Justice at 6:34 PM |

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008

Capitalism & The Economics of Enough, Part 1 - Paul Williams

(77 downloads)

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Capitalism is the dominant ideology of our age. The market economy has brought enormous benefits in wealth creation and rising living standards for millions throughout the world, but how is capitalism related to social (in)justice? How does capitalism manufacture the materialistic and consumerist orientation of our desires in the modern world, and in what ways does it encourage imperialist enterprises?

Leading us into these issues will be Paul Williams, Associate Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College and Executive Director of the College's Marketplace Institute. Paul also works as a Director and Economic Advisor to DTZ plc, a multinational real estate consulting and investment banking group headquartered in London UK where he previously worked as Chief Economist and Head of International Research. As well as advising global corporations and investors, he has undertaken substantial work for government departments and agencies, particularly concerning policy for economic development and urban regeneration and renewal.

(Recorded Monday, March 31, 2008)

Posted by Streams of Justice at 5:55 PM |

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