John Rawls Liberalism vs. Liberalism

Attribute	John Rawls Liberalism	Liberalism
Founder	John Rawls	Various thinkers throughout history
Focus	Justice as fairness	Individual rights and freedoms
Equality	Emphasis on equality of opportunity	Emphasis on equality before the law
Original position	Concept of the veil of ignorance	N/A
Role of government	Government intervention to ensure fair distribution of resources	Government intervention to protect individual rights

Introduction

Liberalism is a political philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, equality, and the rule of law. It has been a dominant ideology in Western democracies for centuries. John Rawls, a prominent political philosopher, developed a specific form of liberalism known as Rawlsian liberalism. In this article, we will compare the attributes of John Rawls Liberalism and traditional liberalism to understand their similarities and differences.

Definition of Liberalism

Liberalism is a political ideology that values individual freedom, equality, and the protection of human rights. It emphasizes the importance of a limited government that respects the rights of its citizens and promotes a free market economy. Liberals believe in the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of civil liberties.

John Rawls Liberalism

John Rawls was a prominent political philosopher who developed a theory of justice based on the principles of fairness and equality. Rawlsian liberalism, also known as justice as fairness, emphasizes the importance of social justice and the redistribution of resources to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Rawls argued that inequalities in society should only be permitted if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

Key Differences

One key difference between John Rawls Liberalism and traditional liberalism is their approach to distributive justice. While traditional liberalism focuses on individual rights and limited government intervention in the economy, Rawlsian liberalism advocates for a more active role of the state in redistributing resources to achieve a more equal society.

Equality vs. Liberty

Another difference between the two forms of liberalism is their emphasis on equality versus liberty. Traditional liberalism prioritizes individual liberty and the protection of property rights, while Rawlsian liberalism places a greater emphasis on equality and social justice. Rawls argued that a just society is one that prioritizes the needs of the least advantaged members.

Role of Government

One of the key differences between John Rawls Liberalism and traditional liberalism is their views on the role of government. Traditional liberals believe in a limited government that protects individual rights and promotes a free market economy. In contrast, Rawlsian liberalism argues for a more active role of the state in ensuring social justice and equality for all members of society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Rawls Liberalism and traditional liberalism share some common values such as individual rights and the rule of law. However, they differ in their approach to distributive justice, equality versus liberty, and the role of government in society. Understanding these differences can help us appreciate the nuances of different forms of liberalism and their implications for political theory and practice.