John Rawls Research Paper

1.John Rawls promotes a system of justice based on welfare liberalism (argumentatively discuss).

The two most significant philosophers on the principles of society structure are John Rawls and Robert Nozick. John Rawls’ ideas of a fair and just society are based on two main principles. These two principles make up his system of justice and incorporate welfare liberalism. In the first place there is Rawls Liberty principle. This principle can be explained as each individual having the right to equality within their society. Allowing basic equality in society such as the right to vote, freedom of speech and freedom to choose a religion is how western society is today. Secondly there is his Difference principle. This principle describes how the disadvantaged can take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. It also demonstrates how economic differences can be minimised within society. For example all people within a society have a conscience and can help those less fortunate as they may one day find themselves in a similar position (Kukathas, & Pettit, 1990). On the other hand Robert Nozick has a different view of the structure of this type
According to Baldwin, Rawls says “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions”. He explains that a society that he imagines is “a self sufficient association of persons” and constitutes “a cooperative association for mutual advantage” (Belshaw, & Kemp, 2009, p. 35). The key word in this quote for me is “cooperative”; the society of which Rawls dreams is one of a voluntary nature, where the individual can make a choice regarding their inclusion. This is a world I would like to live in, where every person is involved of their own free will and is willing to aid and support the community for the advantage of all