Justification of Discrimination - John Rawls

Analyze John Rawls's justification of discrimination to achieve the goals of justice. UPSC 2018 Paper 1A Qn 2b

John Rawls in his 'A Theory of Justice', addresses the complex relationship between equality, justice, and permissible forms of discrimination. Through his concept of justice, Rawls aims to balance fairness and equality by accommodating differences among individuals in ways that promote social welfare. In Rawlsian theory, justice does not demand strict equality in all social and economic arrangements.

His difference principle allows for discrimination and permissible inequalities if they satisfy two conditions -

  1. Inequalities must improve the situation of the least advantaged members of the society.
  2. Positions associated with these inequalities must be open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity, ensuring that all individuals have genuine access to opportunities, irrespective of their background.

His difference principle allows for differential treatment only if it leads to a more just distribution of resources. He justifies affirmative action policies, progressive taxation, and redistribution not because they promote desert and merit but because they contribute to a fairer social structure.

However, the assumption that social positions are open to all under fair conditions can overlook structural inequalities that persist in practice. His difference principle challenges classical liberalism, which emphasizes minimal state intervention. Rawls reorients liberalism towards egalitarianism, arguing that justice is not just about formal equality but also about ensuring substantive justice.

 

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