In the world of political philosophy, few works have had as much impact as John Rawls' A Theory of Justice. First published in 1971, it remains one of the most widely read and influential books in the field. Rawls' central concern in A Theory of Justice is with the concept of justice itself. Specifically, he sets out to create a framework for understanding what a just society looks like. To do this, he engages in a thought experiment: he asks us to imagine that we are in an original position, a hypothetical state where we know nothing about ourselves or our place in society. In this position, Rawls argues, we would naturally seek to create a just society, one that maximizes our freedom and promotes the greatest good for all.
The Two Principles of Justice
To create a just society, Rawls proposes two principles of justice. The first is the principle of equal basic rights and liberties, which holds that each person in a society should have an equal claim to certain basic rights and freedoms, such as the right to vote, free speech, and personal property. The second principle is the difference principle, which states that social and economic inequalities are only justifiable if they work to the advantage of the least advantaged members of society.
Rawls argues that these principles form the foundation of a just society, one in which individuals are free to pursue their own goals and ambitions, but where there is also a commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to the basic resources and opportunities necessary to do so.
The Original Position and the Veil of Ignorance
To determine what a just society looks like, Rawls proposes the use of the original position, a hypothetical state where we are ignorant of our own place in society. To further ensure fairness, Rawls argues that we must also use a veil of ignorance, which would prevent us from knowing anything about our own individual characteristics, such as our race, gender, or socio-economic status.
Under these conditions, Rawls argues, we would be forced to consider the interests of all individuals in society equally. We would seek to create a society that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number of people, while also ensuring that the basic rights and freedoms of all individuals are respected.
The Role of Institutions in a Just Society
In A Theory of Justice, Rawls argues that institutions play a critical role in creating and maintaining a just society. He identifies three key institutions that are necessary for a society to be just: the basic structure of society (which includes laws, regulations, and social norms), the distribution of income and wealth, and the organization of the market.
Rawls argues that these institutions must be structured in a way that promotes the two principles of justice. For example, the distribution of income and wealth must be such that it benefits the least advantaged members of society, and the organization of the market must ensure that everyone has access to basic goods and services.