![[John Rawls.jpg]] ![[What Did John Rawls Mean by the Veil of Ignorance?#**On John Rawls**]] ![[Friedrich Nietzsche#Who Defends Rousseau Against Nietzsche?]] ![[Deliberative Democracy#An Overview]] # John Rawls and Karl Marx Both sought to address issues of justice and inequality, but their approaches and ultimate goals were fundamentally different. 1. Foundations of Justice • Rawls: His theory of justice is based on liberal egalitarianism. In A Theory of Justice (1971), he argues that a just society is one where institutions are arranged to ensure fairness, particularly through his “veil of ignorance” thought experiment. This ensures that principles of justice are chosen without knowledge of one’s own position in society. His two principles of justice prioritise equal basic liberties and allow for social and economic inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged (the difference principle). • Marx: Marx’s idea of justice is rooted in historical materialism and class struggle. He saw capitalism as inherently unjust because it exploits workers and concentrates wealth in the hands of the bourgeoisie. Unlike Rawls, Marx did not propose reforms within capitalism but advocated for its abolition, envisioning a classless, stateless society (communism) where wealth is collectively owned. 2. Role of the State and Institutions • Rawls: He believes in reforming capitalist democracies to make them fairer. He does not oppose private property or markets but argues that government intervention is needed to redistribute wealth and opportunities to prevent extreme inequalities. • Marx: He sees the state as a tool of the ruling class, designed to maintain capitalist exploitation. Rather than reforming it, he advocates for a proletarian revolution to overthrow capitalist structures and establish a society where production is based on human need rather than profit. 3. Approach to Inequality • Rawls: Accepts some level of inequality but argues that it must be justifiable—that is, it must benefit the worst-off members of society. His difference principle allows for economic disparities if they lead to greater overall well-being. • Marx: Views all economic inequality under capitalism as unjust because it stems from exploitation. He seeks to eliminate private ownership of the means of production, replacing it with collective ownership to ensure a truly equal society. 4. Human Nature and Motivation • Rawls: Assumes that people are rational and self-interested but capable of agreeing on fair principles of justice if placed behind a “veil of ignorance.” • Marx: Believes that human nature is shaped by economic and social conditions. Under capitalism, people behave selfishly due to competition, but in a communist society, they would become more cooperative and communal. 5. Practicality and Influence • Rawls: His ideas have influenced liberal democracies, shaping policies on social justice, welfare states, and progressive taxation. • Marx: His theories inspired socialist and communist movements worldwide, leading to revolutions in Russia, China, and beyond, though his vision of a stateless, classless society has never been fully realised. Summary • Rawls: Seeks to reform capitalism to make it fairer. • Marx: Seeks to abolish capitalism and replace it with communism. • Rawls: Accepts some inequality, provided it benefits the worst-off. • Marx: Sees all economic inequality as a product of exploitation. • Rawls: Advocates redistribution through the state. • Marx: Advocates revolution to overthrow the state. Ultimately, Rawls is a liberal egalitarian, working within democratic capitalism, while Marx is a revolutionary socialist, seeking to dismantle it `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`