John Rawls' Theory of Justice

Introduction to John Rawls' Theory of Justice

• John Rawls' theory of justice is often called the theory of wealth redistribution.
• Rawls' theory is also known as egalitarian liberalism.
• Rawls was an American political scientist.
• Rawls' book "A Theory of Justice" was written in 1971.
• Justice is important in a well-functioning society.
• A just system ensures that rights, freedoms, and duties lead to social harmony.
• Rawls' theory is a liberal egalitarian theory of social justice.

Key Components of Rawls' Theory

• Often referred to as the theory of wealth redistribution, it aims to address social justice.
• The main issue of justice is the fair distribution of primary goods.
• Primary goods include rights, liberties, powers, opportunities, income, and wealth.
• These goods enable individuals to live a dignified life.
• Pure procedural justice seeks fair distribution, considering progress and social justice.
• Individual dignity is central.
• Rawls' theory arose when liberalism was under threat globally.
• Black Americans fought for civil rights, and the Vietnam War caused setbacks.
• Developing nations experienced problems like unemployment and inflation.
• There was a global need for a theory that supports political and economic democracy.
• Rawls offers a theory of justice to solve these issues.

Rawls' Intellectual Influences

• Rawls draws on Immanuel Kant's rationalism, emphasizing that individuals are ends in themselves.
• Individuals are the goal; the state is the means to ensure safety and a good life.
• Rawls uses the concept of the state of nature and social contract.

Pure Procedural Justice

• Rawls described it as the just distribution of primary goods.
• It involves rights, freedoms, opportunities, income, and wealth.
• It allows individuals to live a dignified life.
• It also aims for progress and socio-economic justice.
• The dignity of the individual is a central idea in Rawls' framework.
• Rawls rejects utilitarianism, which may harm individuals in the pursuit of collective happiness.

Critique of Utilitarianism

• Utilitarianism aims to maximize happiness for the greatest number.
• Utilitarianism (Bentham, James Mill): actions are judged by the happiness they bring.
• Rawls argues against decisions based solely on utility.
• He argues against the exploitation or enslavement of a minority.
• Increasing the happiness of the happy does not alleviate the suffering of the sad, according to Rawls.
• Justice must be prioritized over only maximizing utility.

Three Types of Justice

• Complete procedural justice emphasizes fair processes.
• Incomplete procedural justice focuses on specific standards.
• Pure procedural justice combines fair processes and standards.
• Complete procedural justice emphasizes merit.
• Incomplete procedural justice emphasizes needs.
• Pure procedural justice balances merit and needs.
• Complete procedure justice emphasizes economic progress.
• Incomplete procedure justice emphasizes socio-economic justice.
• Pure procedural justice seeks an equilibrium between progress and justice.

Rawls' Argumentative Method (Original Position)

• Rawls uses social contract theory, incorporating a "heuristic device."
• People are placed in a hypothetical setting where they are ignorant of socio-economic status.
• Social rules and institutions are formed to maximize individuals' interests.
• The "original position" is a hypothetical situation akin to the state of nature.
• In the original position, people are behind a "veil of ignorance."
• They are unaware of their future status in the society they are constructing behind the "veil of ignorance".
• The primary motivation is to create a society of social justice.

Elements of the Original Position

• Individuals are unaware of their needs, interests, qualifications or efficiency.
• They are ignorant of the roots of societal conflict.
• Individuals are reasonable.
• Necessary constraints are linked to ethical considerations.
• It involves a group of rational individuals, ignorant but seeking justice.
• Some preliminary knowledge of economics and psychology is present.
• They are strategic but try to restrain their self-interest.
• The goal is to establish justice in a future society by agreeing on basic principles.
• In the original position (behind the "veil"), people will agree to basic principles of justice.
• It aims to prevent future disputes.

Principles of Justice

• Three basic principles of mutual agreement are:
• Principle of Equal Liberty.
• Social and Economic Inequalities.
• Fair Equality of Opportunity.
• Everyone will seek to minimize risks, with benefits for the least advantaged (“List Advantaged People”).
• Rules are expected to be unanimously beneficial by this original position of agreement.

Risk Aversion in the Original Position

• Those in the original position (behind the "veil") avoid risks.
• They are concerned about potentially ending up in the least advantageous position.
• Maximize benefits for those in the least advantageous position.
• Justice is ensured by maximizing the position of the least well-off person.
• Every person demands the maximum for those in the least advantageous position (maximize the minimum).
• Principles agreed upon under these conditions become the fundamental rules of justice.
• The principle of equal liberty involves civil and political freedoms.
• Includes freedom of speech, religion, protection of the law, all essential freedoms.
• Citizens are able to freely raise concerns against exploitation.

Principles of Social and Economic Inequalities

• Social and economic inequalities are structured to consider:
• Difference Principle (benefit the least advantaged).
• Fair Equality of Opportunity.
• The Difference Principle (compensatory justice) justifies deviations as long as the worse off are benefited.
• Any public policy is supported if it enhances the welfare of the most disadvantaged.
• Special rewards for talent are justified only if they help the weaker sections, mainstreams and marginalized.
• John Rawls regards this theory not as a rewards-based system, but a compensatory system.
• "No chain is stronger than its weakest link."
• This is the foundation for Rawls' criticism of utilitarianism.

Priority of Principles

• Equal liberty has the highest priority.
• Then come socio-economic equities.
• Fair opportunity has priority over the Difference Principle.
• Rules are adopted to avoid any potential future compromises on the principles.
• Utilitarianism (based on numbers) can compromise individual situations.

Criticisms of Rawls' Theory

• Criticized by Marxists, libertarians, and communitarians.
• Marxists find flaws in Rawls's theory of justice.
• Rawls’ capitalist privileges are maintained.
• Rawls overlooked the exploitation of the capitalist.
• Milton Fisk and Richard Miller say justice protects capitalist privileges.
• It overlooks the class character of the state.
• It is overly optimistic on the goodwill of capitalists.
• Libertarian thinkers question the rationality and scientific basis of Rawls' theory.
• Macpherson acknowledged inequality in capitalist states.
• Communitarians criticize Rawls for neglecting social values.
• Michael Walzer: Rawls’ equality is too basic.

John Rawls' Relevancy

• Despite criticisms, Rawls' theory is important.
• It emphasizes change in socio-economic conditions through justice.
• It endorses a system blending capitalism with socialist ideals.
• Rawls supports constitutional democracy (U.S. style).
• Overall, Rawls sought to establish justice through the hypothetical "original position."
• Rawls focuses on fairness for all, even those in a "veil of ignorance".
• The goal is that all will agree with principles of basic rights and liberties.