The philosophical foundations of social justice: A critical analysis of Rawls, Nozick, and contemporary theories
University of Edinburgh MA Social Policy and Economics, United Kingdom.
Research Article
International Journal of Frontline Research and Reviews, 2025, 04(01), 001-010.
Article DOI: 10.56355/ijfrr.2025.4.1.0016
Publication history:
Received on 04 December 2024; revised on 14 january 2025; accepted on 17 january 2025
Abstract:
This study critically examines the philosophical underpinnings of social justice through an analysis of John Rawls’ and Robert Nozick’s contrasting theories and the contributions of contemporary perspectives. Rawls’ theory of "justice as fairness" emphasizes equality and the redistribution of resources, using the veil of ignorance to ensure impartiality in societal structures. His Difference Principle advocates for inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged. In contrast, Nozick’s libertarian framework prioritizes individual property rights, emphasizing justice in acquisition and transfer without endorsing redistributive policies (Bidadanure et al., 2021). The study explores critiques of these paradigms, including feminist challenges that highlight gendered power dynamics, communitarian perspectives emphasizing the importance of shared social contexts, and the capabilities approach, which prioritizes individual flourishing and opportunities over mere resource distribution. These contemporary perspectives enrich the discourse by addressing structural inequalities and the limitations of abstract principles in addressing real-world injustices. This research also examines the practical implications of these theories for addressing issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and global justice in a modern, interconnected world. By comparing traditional and contemporary frameworks, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how justice can be conceptualized and applied in diverse contexts. It emphasizes the necessity of balancing liberty, equality, and community values to create equitable and sustainable societal structures.
Keywords:
Social Justice; Entitlement Theory; Capabilities Approach; Feminism; Communitarianism; Distributive Justice; Global Justice
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Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0