JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS: AN EXPLORATION OF JOHN RAWLS' POLITICAL LIBERALISM

Abstract

The theme of this study is John Rawls's theory of justice, a central figure in twentieth-century political philosophy, whose work provides a revolutionary perspective in the analysis of social and political justice. The aim of this research is to investigate the fundamental principles of his theory, mainly presented in his work "A Theory of Justice", as well as to examine the various critiques and interpretations that have emerged in response to his postulates. To achieve this end, a methodology based on bibliographic survey and qualitative analysis was adopted, focusing on discussing Political Liberalism as a back drop and contextualizing Rawls's proposal, marked by the innovation of the concepts of the original position and the veil of ignorance. This study highlights the two fundamental principles proposed by Rawls: the Principle of Liberty, which prioritizes basic rights and freedoms for all, and the Principle of Difference, which regulates social and economic disparities under conditions that are advantageous for the least advantaged. The results point to the broad influence and ongoing debate generated by Rawls's theory, underlining both its theoretical value and the various critiques that challenge its premises. It is concluded that, despite the controversies, Rawls's theory of justice remains a fundamental landmark in contemporary political philosophy, offering valuable insights for the ongoing discussion on justice, equality, and human rights.