PSIR – 20 Advanced 20-Mark Model Answer Series
Model Answer 2
“Rawls’ theory of justice is a powerful defence of equality but fails to address structural exploitation.” Critically examine. (20 Marks)
🔹 Introduction
John Rawls, in A Theory of Justice, redefined liberal political philosophy by grounding justice in fairness. His framework attempts to reconcile liberty with equality through a contractual model. However, critics argue that Rawls overlooks deeper structural forms of domination embedded in capitalism.
🔹 Rawls’ Defence of Equality
- Original Position & Veil of Ignorance: Ensures impartiality.
- Two Principles of Justice: Equal basic liberties and social-economic fairness.
- Difference Principle: Inequalities justified only if benefiting the least advantaged.
Rawls strengthens distributive justice within a liberal constitutional framework.
🔹 Strengths of Rawls’ Framework
- Balances liberty and equality.
- Provides moral justification for welfare state.
- Rejects utilitarian sacrifice of minorities.
🔹 Marxist Critique: Structural Exploitation Ignored
- Focuses on distribution, not production.
- Does not question capitalist ownership.
- Class exploitation remains intact.
Marxists argue that justice cannot be achieved without transforming economic structures.
🔹 Communitarian & Feminist Critique
- Abstract individualism ignores social embeddedness.
- Neglects gendered and racial power hierarchies.
🔹 Critical Evaluation
Rawls reforms capitalism rather than replacing it. While he mitigates inequality through redistribution, he does not directly confront systemic exploitation rooted in ownership and class power.
🔹 Conclusion
Rawls offers a powerful normative defence of equality within liberal democracy. However, his theory remains limited in addressing structural economic domination. The debate between Rawls and Marx thus represents reform versus transformation in contemporary justice discourse.
Shaktimatha Learning – Advanced 20-Mark Model Answer Series
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