John Rawls

Question 1

Book?

Answer 1

A theory of justice (1971), remains key reference for students of liberal thought

Question 2

What was one of the objectives of A theory of justice?

Answer 2

• Restate the idea that the core liberal principle of ‘foundational equality’ meant individuals required not just formal equality under the law but also greater and social equality
• Necessary to ensure the just society
• Could only be provided by significant redistribution of wealth

Question 3

What was the second objective of A theory of justice?

Answer 3

• Show that such a redistribution of wealth was not a surrender to socialism but consistent with liberal values
• Constructed a series of philosophical conditions to do this
• First was termed ‘the original position’, where people were asked to construct a society from scratch that’s better than the current one
• The second condition was the ‘veil of ignorance’, people would have no preconception about the type of people they themselves would be in this society
• People chose a society where the poorest members feel significantly better than in present society

Question 4

Human nature?

Answer 4

Mankind is selfish yet empathetic, valuing both individual liberty and the plight of those around then

Question 5

The state?

Answer 5

• The state should enable less fortunate individuals to advance, via public spending and public services
• Enlarged state, with higher taxation and significant wealth redistribution was consistent with govt by consent

Question 6

Society?

Answer 6

The society most individuals would choose would be the one where the condition of the poorest improved whilst mainintaing considerable scope for individual liberty

Question 7

Economy?

Answer 7

Free market capitalism should be tempered by the state’s obligation to advance its poorest citizens