“You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16.19, 20

What is the goal of public policy? That is, what should they who have been entrusted with making public policy seek as its proper outcome?

Our text precludes mere “special interest” with its warning against partiality and bribes. Public policies are not to be made because they favor one group over another to the advantage or aggrandizement of policy-makers. Any public policy that is tainted by partiality, favoritism, or catering to special interests cannot expect the blessings of God.

The goal of public policy is justice, not the satisfaction of various interest groups.

It’s difficult to see how policy-makers in American government can keep from bending policies to special interests when (a) lobbyists take up so much time and demand so much of the attention of policy-makers, and (b) corporations and other moneyed interests play a significant role in political campaign funding. These two institutions – the lobby and political campaign contributions – invite policy-making according to interests, if not bribes. Partiality is the order of the day in American politics.

Can we achieve justice nonetheless? Yes, if we are willing to guard the policy-making process. Since justice is a function of the decisions of men, the best solution to overcoming the sinfulness inherent in the American public-policy system is to elect people to office who understand and embody the principles and practices of justice, and who can show a credible record of justice in all aspects of their lives.

At the same time, we must work for reforms in campaign financing and the work of lobbyists that can help to ensure that policy-makers are swayed neither by the interests of their supporters or their own interests, but by the requirements of justice first and always.

Any practices that transgress the boundaries of justice and can be demonstrated to be motivated primarily by self- or special-interest should be regarded as perversions. They should be challenged in courts and corrected according to the terms and demands of justice – which may include the exercise of justice against those who have perverted the public-policy process.

Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. Sent to your desktop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Crosfigell includes a devotional based on the literature of the Celtic Christian period and the Word of God, highlights of other columns at the website, and information about mentoring and online courses available through The Fellowship.