Power Freedom and Justice
Is it possible for liberalism to produce a theory of social justice? In your answer must address the arguments of Rawls and Nozick.
Over the years, different political philosophies have raised values, principles and ideals that have played an important role in the creation of social policies. The following essay will address two different theories, which reflect the philosophical basis of social policies: Rawlsian liberalism and Nozickean libertarianism.
John Rawls’ liberalism focuses on the promotion of universal liberty and freedom, which will enable the entire society to exercise their individuality. However, this individuality will only be achieved if the inherent differences between individuals in society are recognized and respected, such as wealth disparities or different plans of life. Rawls defends the idea that, in order for liberty and freedom to practice individuality, individuals need to be guaranteed a moral and political equality, which ignores social differences. In other words, those born less advantaged with less resources must be considered as having the same moral and political relevance than the more advantaged individuals. Therefore, Rawls believes that individuality must be seen as a universal and non-selective right that does not prioritize advantaged individuals in society. However, he does not pretend to undermine their liberty, as they will have the same opportunities to exercise their own individuality.
In order to guarantee the universal right of individuality, John Rawls developed “justice as fairness”, which referred to his own understanding of social justice (Maza, 2009). Rawls believed that social institutions, through two basic principles of justice, would guarantee the exercise of individuality. The first principle should require equality in the assignment of basic rights and duties, meaning that all individuals should enjoy the same liberties, no matter their differences. On the other hand, Rawls admitted that there
Over the years, different political philosophies have raised values, principles and ideals that have played an important role in the creation of social policies. The following essay will address two different theories, which reflect the philosophical basis of social policies: Rawlsian liberalism and Nozickean libertarianism.
John Rawls’ liberalism focuses on the promotion of universal liberty and freedom, which will enable the entire society to exercise their individuality. However, this individuality will only be achieved if the inherent differences between individuals in society are recognized and respected, such as wealth disparities or different plans of life. Rawls defends the idea that, in order for liberty and freedom to practice individuality, individuals need to be guaranteed a moral and political equality, which ignores social differences. In other words, those born less advantaged with less resources must be considered as having the same moral and political relevance than the more advantaged individuals. Therefore, Rawls believes that individuality must be seen as a universal and non-selective right that does not prioritize advantaged individuals in society. However, he does not pretend to undermine their liberty, as they will have the same opportunities to exercise their own individuality.
In order to guarantee the universal right of individuality, John Rawls developed “justice as fairness”, which referred to his own understanding of social justice (Maza, 2009). Rawls believed that social institutions, through two basic principles of justice, would guarantee the exercise of individuality. The first principle should require equality in the assignment of basic rights and duties, meaning that all individuals should enjoy the same liberties, no matter their differences. On the other hand, Rawls admitted that there
Bibliography: Kymlicka, W., 1990. Contemporary Political Philosophy. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Locke, J., 1974 Maza, Grijalva., 2009. A Rawlsian Analysis of Pension Privatization in North America. Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencias Políticas, Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de las Américas Puebla Nozick, R., 1974 Vallentyne, P., 2012. Libertarianism. 9th edition. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Rawls, John., 2001. Justice as Fairness, A Restatement. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. [ 2 ]. Vallentyne, P., 2012. Libertarianism. 9th edition. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. [ 3 ]. Maza, Grijalva., 2009. A Rawlsian Analysis of Pension Privatization in North America. Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencias Políticas, Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de las Américas Puebla [ 4 ] [ 5 ]. Rawls, John., 1971. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. [ 6 ]. Maza, Grijalva., 2009. A Rawlsian Analysis of Pension Privatization in North America. Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencias Políticas, Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de las Américas Puebla [ 7 ] [ 8 ]. Nozick, R., 1974. Anarchy, State and Utopia. 2nd edition. New York: Basic Books. [ 9 ]. Nozick, R., 1974. Anarchy, State and Utopia. 2nd edition. New York: Basic Books. [ 10 ]. Maza, Grijalva., 2009. A Rawlsian Analysis of Pension Privatization in North America. Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencias Políticas, Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de las Américas Puebla [ 11 ] [ 12 ]. Locke, J., 1974. An essay Concerning the True Original, Extent and End of Civil Government. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [ 13 ]. Kymlicka, W., 1990. Contemporary Political Philosophy. Oxford: Clarendon Press [ 14 ]