The Formation of Justice Norms

Joining ideas from structural exchange theory and symbolic interaction theory, this paper addresses two questions: (a) How does a justice norm form? and (b) Why do variations among justice norms arise? Exchange theory clarifies the objective, structural, and largely material contexts in which justice norms originate. Symbolic interaction theory illuminates the subjective, intersubjective, and mainly ideal process through which justice norms emerge. Context variations in structural exchange (whether a setting entails distributive or productive exchange, equal or unequal power-dependence) help account for the formation of specific justice norms: equal opportunity, equality, status-rank inequality, need, and equity. We link our theoretical account to existing data and suggest experimental tests of its key implications.