Rawls’ theory of justice has been described as a form of justice as fairness. The theory is very similar to the works of Kantian and the utilitarian philosophy. Both Rawls and Kantian demonstrate rationality in their works since they are derived from reasoning. The theory portrays the method that should be used to assess social and political institutions based on morality. The theory takes the best phenomenon one can be in while making a new social contact. Normally we would be biased because we have prior information of whom we are. The theory suggests that while we are under the veil of ignorance; we take we know nothing about our sex, race, position in society and our abilities; we can be able to make rational and unbiased decisions that demonstrate morality and equality (Rawls 11).
One of the principles of justice deals in maintaining the political order in the society, Rawls advocates that every human should have equal rights to the simple liberty which is well-matched with other person’s liberty. Some of the basic liberties are political liberties, liberty of conscience and basic human rights. Some of the basic human rights and freedoms are right of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of owning property and the right of not being arrested unlawfully.
Political liberty is the right to vote and run for an office. This is a fundamental liberty that is necessary in countries with democracy. The liberty is rather absolute, straight forward and cannot be easily derived off from the people. The liberty is rarely violated as the will of engaging in political activities is voluntary. As long as people have reached the recommended age of voting, they are at will to register as voters. However, few countries have compulsory voting system in the current world. In most countries, citizens are free to vote meaning one can decide whether to vote or abstain from voting. Political liberty also allows one to freely run for office that they are qualified. Political liberty sets out that a person should present their candidature to the society, who decides to take or reject the people who run for an office (Bailey et al 120).
The second principle of justice deals with social and economic inequalities. The inequalities are to be reorganized in a manner that eliminates the less fortunate derive the maximum benefit. The principle also tries to explain that offices and positions should be offered equal chances by promoting fairness. The second principle recognizes that people are on different economic platforms. One economic inequality that fits this principle is the family of origin. Based on the family of origins or family background, one can be well off than others meaning that some families could be on a different economic platform than others. The rearrangement of the economic inequalities is aimed at improving the less fortunate status. They protect them from deterioration on their economic and social status. The arrangement should ensure the less fortunate derive maximum benefit from the strategy to achieve economic equality. The family one comes from should have no influence in availing any available opportunities. The family one comes from may posses some talent that another family lacks. Talents should not determine the choices taken by someone as they may result to some form of inequality (Rawls 54).
In ensuring that public positions and offices are distributed to everyone based on fairness, and equal opportunity, family origins should not play part in undermining these. Merit has for a long time been valued as the best method offering a fair opportunity. Further scrutiny should be placed on ensuring that people have an equal opportunity of acquiring the skills necessary for a certain merit. Families which one comes from in most instances have had a stake in influencing acquisition of skills. Families of origin are usually at different social and economic status, even when the second principle is applied it may weaken political liberty and others measures geared toward fairness and equality.
The theory of justice tends to bring together liberty and equality. The aim of the theory is to achieve justice in the best manner possible while lacking bias. The theory provides a solution to parties who have political liberty and at the same time have different social and economic status contributed by their family backgrounds.
Works cited
Bailey Andrew, Brennan Samantha, Kymlicka Will & Levy Jacob. The Broadview Anthology of Social and Political Thought: From Plato to Nietzche. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2008.
Rawls John A Theory of Justice (Rev. Ed) Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1999