Special Issue: ‘Just’ International Development

Abstract

The relationship between justice and international development has long been contentious. Activists and scholars persistently challenge what is carried out in the name of development: for whom, by whom, and at whose expense? Their critiques expose how conventional development practices often entrench injustice rather than redress it. This special issue builds on this critical tradition by discussing how justice is being redefined within contemporary development thought and practice. To establish a shared conceptual foundation, contributors were invited to engage with the Earth System Justice (ESJ) framework and vocabulary, using their analyses to test, expand, and refine its dimensions. Spanning diverse cases—from social movements and environmental sustainability to systemic equity, educational reform, and urban inclusivity—the contributions ask what makes development just or unjust. Collectively, they underscore the necessity of centering justice in development. Ultimately, they advocate for transformative approaches that recognize contextual specificities and dismantle systems of power, enabling historically marginalized communities to define development and justice on their own terms.