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Similarities Between Nozick And Thomas Rawls

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Similarities Between Nozick And Thomas Rawls
In order to regulate crime and to protect civil rights and liberty among the people in a society, there must be a judicial system to enforce it. Both Thomas Rawls and Robert Nozick believe there should be such a justice system to protect citizens; however their argument differs on how this societal justice is regulated and enforced. Thomas Rawls explains in his writing, A Theory of Justice, the two basic principles of justice are what he calls the “liberty principle” and the “difference principle”. The liberty principle for justice is the people’s “equal basic liberties” such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to live freely, etc. Rawls believes that these freedoms are equal to everyone in a just society and should be maximized equally. …show more content…
Rawls’ goal is to define ways to form a civil society that is regulated as he states with “justice as fairness”, supporting those who cannot support themselves. Nozick on the other hand responds to Rawls as stated in his writing, Anarchy, State and Utopia, with a libertarian view of justice. He explains that only a “minimal state” for government is enough to enforce justice and protect the people's’ liberties against crimes. In support of Rawls, Nozick’s notion of minimal government seems implausible because there are other useful necessities that a government can provide other than justice and security such as social programs to help the people who cannot support
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