Rawls on Income Inequality and Poverty

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ID: 333049
2026
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Abstract
Abstract The most important function of principles of justice, Rawls argues, is to ensure that basic social institutions do not allow arbitrary factors to determine the distribution of goods. In the cases of both severe poverty and income inequality, arbitrary factors-natural and social endowments-generally determine the distribution of social goods. In order to address the influence of endowments on distribution, Rawls's theory sets out three requirements. First, a principle lexically prior to the liberty principle requires the provision of a social minimum that prevents extreme deprivation. Second, fair equality of opportunity requires the realization of real equal opportunity. Finally, the difference principle requires that—once equal opportunity is secured—remaining inequalities must be so thoroughly to everyone's advantage that even the least advantaged benefit. The requirement of equal opportunity aims to reduce significantly the influence of social endowments, while the difference principle aims primarily to reduce that influence of natural endowments.
Reference Key
openalex_W7223000865 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Alexander Kaufman
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Journal Oxford University Press eBooks
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197754931.013.0056
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197754931.013.0056
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