📘 PSIR – Political Theory | Page 8 Concept of Justice (From Classical to Contemporary Debates)
UPSC CSE Political Science & IR – Paper I Conceptual + Ideological + Mains-Oriented Notes | Shaktimatha Learning
1️⃣ What is Justice?
Justice means fairness in distribution of rights, duties, resources and opportunities.
Plato defined justice as harmony — each person performing their proper role.
Aristotle defined justice as proportional equality.
2️⃣ Types of Justice
- Distributive Justice – Fair distribution of resources
- Procedural Justice – Fair decision-making process
- Corrective Justice – Rectifying wrongs
- Social Justice – Reducing structural inequality
3️⃣ Liberal Theory – John Rawls
Rawls: Justice as Fairness
Rawls introduced:
- Original Position
- Veil of Ignorance
- Two Principles of Justice
First Principle: Equal basic liberties for all.
Second Principle: Social and economic inequalities allowed only if:
- Attached to offices open to all (Fair Equality of Opportunity)
- Benefit the least advantaged (Difference Principle)
Rawls attempts to balance liberty and equality.
4️⃣ Libertarian Theory – Robert Nozick
Justice in holdings.
- Minimal State
- Entitlement theory
- No redistribution
If acquisition and transfer are just, outcome is just.
Opposes welfare state.
5️⃣ Marxist Theory of Justice
Marx rejected liberal justice as bourgeois justice.
Justice under capitalism protects property owners.
True justice requires:
- Abolition of private property
- Classless society
- From each according to ability, to each according to need
6️⃣ Feminist Theory of Justice
Traditional theories ignore gender oppression.
- Domestic labor exploitation
- Gender wage gap
- Care ethics
Justice must recognize private sphere inequalities.
7️⃣ Indian Perspective on Justice
- Preamble – Social, Economic and Political Justice
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Reservation policies
- Affirmative action
Indian Constitution adopts substantive justice approach.
8️⃣ Justice vs Equality vs Liberty
Justice mediates between equality and liberty.
- Too much liberty → inequality
- Too much equality → loss of freedom
Rawls attempts balance. Nozick prioritizes liberty. Marx prioritizes equality.
9️⃣ Comparative Framework
| Theory | Focus | Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Rawls | Fair distribution | Too idealistic |
| Nozick | Property rights | Ignores inequality |
| Marx | Class abolition | Suppression risk |
| Feminist | Gender justice | Fragmented approach |
🔟 UPSC MAINS APPLICATION
Frequently Asked Questions:
- “Explain Rawls’ theory of justice.”
- “Critically compare Rawls and Nozick.”
- “Is Marxism a theory of justice?”
- “Justice in Indian constitutional philosophy.”
Answer Structure:
- Define justice
- Explain ideological theories
- Compare approaches
- Indian context
- Conclude with balanced view
Justice is not charity. It is the foundation of legitimacy.
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