Social Justice as Fairness: The Theory of John Rawls
Social Justice as Fairness:
The Ethical Theory of Johns Rawls
Jeffrey V. Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Office of Global
Health, UMSON
NRSG 780
What is ‘Social Justice?’
John Rawls’ Theory of Justice
John Rawls’: Justice as Fairness
Focus on social starting positions
•
“What the theory of justice must regulate is the
inequalities in life prospects between citizens that
arise from
social starting positions
”;
•
“Basic structure (of society) is the primary subject of
justice because its effects are so profound and
present from the start.”
•
“The institutions of society
favor certain starting
places over others
. These are especially deep
inequalities that are pervasive and cannot be
justified by an appeal to the notions of merit or
desert.”
No One Has Control Over to Whom or
Where They are Born
The Course of One’s Life is Influenced by the
Circumstances of One’s Birth
Being Born Rich …
..or poor creates an environment that influences
the entire life course.
Why is Jason in the Hospital?
Rawls: Social Justice Works for a ‘Fair
System of Cooperation’
•
Goal of social justice is to make sure that
social, economic and political institutions
work in a fair, non-exclusive way
•
Social patterns are unjust if they hinge on
victimizing or exploiting one group for the
benefit of another
Rawl’s Theory has led to Social Policy
Interventions
•
Social Protections and Redistribution efforts reduce
the structural basis of poverty
–
Example: Poverty among elderly was dramatically
reduced after the passage of Medicare in the
1960s
•
Policy interventions directed at reducing the impact
of poverty differ dramatically between economically
developed countries.
John Rawls' theory of justice focuses on addressing the inequalities in life prospects stemming from social starting positions. He argues that the basic structure of society must be the subject of justice regulation as it profoundly impacts individuals from the outset. Rawls emphasizes that social justice aims to create a fair system of cooperation where institutions operate in a non-exclusive manner, devoid of victimization or exploitation. His theory has influenced social policy interventions, such as efforts to reduce poverty through social protections and redistribution initiatives like Medicare in the 1960s.
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Presentation Transcript
Social Justice as Fairness: The Ethical Theory of Johns Rawls Jeffrey V. Johnson, Ph.D. Professor and Director, Office of Global Health, UMSON NRSG 780
What is Social Justice? John Rawls Theory of Justice
John Rawls: Justice as Fairness Focus on social starting positions What the theory of justice must regulate is the inequalities in life prospects between citizens that arise from social starting positions ; Basic structure (of society) is the primary subject of justice because its effects are so profound and present from the start. The institutions of society favor certain starting places over others. These are especially deep inequalities that are pervasive and cannot be justified by an appeal to the notions of merit or desert.
No One Has Control Over to Whom or Where They are Born
The Course of Ones Life is Influenced by the Circumstances of One s Birth
Being Born Rich Wapedia - Wiki: Born Rich
..or poor creates an environment that influences the entire life course. CyberNotes: Top Toys of 2006 for Rich Kids!
Rawls: Social Justice Works for a Fair System of Cooperation Goal of social justice is to make sure that social, economic and political institutions work in a fair, non-exclusive way Social patterns are unjust if they hinge on victimizing or exploiting one group for the benefit of another
Rawls Theory has led to Social Policy Interventions Social Protections and Redistribution efforts reduce the structural basis of poverty Example: Poverty among elderly was dramatically reduced after the passage of Medicare in the 1960s Policy interventions directed at reducing the impact of poverty differ dramatically between economically developed countries.
