Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Justice, a cornerstone of political philosophy, has been debated for centuries. John Rawls, in his seminal work *A Theory of Justice* (1971), offered a compelling modern articulation with his concept of “justice as fairness.” This theory attempts to provide a moral basis for a just society, moving beyond utilitarian calculations or appeals to natural rights. Rawls’ approach seeks to establish principles of justice that free and rational individuals would agree upon in a hypothetical initial situation of equality, thereby ensuring impartiality and fairness in the structuring of social institutions.
The Core Idea: Justice as Fairness
Rawls’ ‘justice as fairness’ is a political conception of justice, meaning it’s designed to apply primarily to the basic structure of society – the major social institutions and how they are arranged. It’s not a comprehensive moral doctrine, but rather a framework for determining the most just principles for governing social cooperation.
The Original Position and the Veil of Ignorance
Central to Rawls’ theory is the ‘original position’. This is a hypothetical scenario where individuals, prior to any existing social arrangements, must decide on the principles of justice that will govern their society. Crucially, this decision-making occurs behind a ‘veil of ignorance’. This veil ensures that individuals do not know their future social status, class, wealth, abilities, or even their conception of the good life.
- Purpose of the Veil: To eliminate biases and self-interest, forcing individuals to choose principles that are fair to everyone, regardless of their eventual position in society.
- Rationality: Rawls assumes individuals in the original position are rational and self-interested, but also possess a sense of fairness.
The Two Principles of Justice
Rawls argues that individuals in the original position would rationally choose two principles of justice:
1. The Principle of Equal Basic Liberties
Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. These liberties include political participation, freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of conscience, and the right to due process of law. This principle prioritizes individual freedoms.
2. The Difference Principle
Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society (the maximin rule), and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.
- Maximin Rule: Focuses on improving the situation of the worst-off, even if it means sacrificing some overall societal wealth.
- Fair Equality of Opportunity: Ensures everyone has a genuine chance to succeed, regardless of their background.
Illustrative Example
Consider a society deciding on its tax policy. Under Rawls’ theory, a progressive tax system – where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes – could be justified if the revenue generated is used to improve the lives of the least advantaged, such as through social welfare programs or education. This aligns with the difference principle.
Criticisms
Rawls’ theory isn’t without its critics. Some argue that the original position is unrealistic, while others question the feasibility of implementing the difference principle in practice. Libertarians, for example, often object to the redistribution of wealth inherent in the difference principle, arguing it violates individual property rights.
Conclusion
Rawls’ ‘justice as fairness’ remains a profoundly influential contribution to political philosophy. By grounding principles of justice in a hypothetical scenario of impartiality, he offered a powerful framework for thinking about how to create a more just and equitable society. While subject to ongoing debate, his work continues to shape discussions about social justice, equality, and the role of government in addressing societal inequalities. The enduring relevance of his theory lies in its commitment to prioritizing the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.