The first point of the second principle is known as the ‘difference principle.’ It means that even if there is an unequal distribution of income and wealth then it should be such that the most disadvantaged should be better off than they would be in any other kind of distribution consistent with principle one including equal distribution. Unfortunately, economic prosperity would happen at the expense of the ones that don’t belong to the larger group. Basic liberties can’t be infringed for any reason, even if it were to bring greater economic prosperity to a larger number of people. Few liberties that are basic to all are – freedom of thought and conscience, liberties necessary to secure the rule of law, sanitation, health, and etcetera. Also, these liberties are to be provided equally to all the masses. The first principle states that all the people are to receive the basic liberties and rights that are basic to human existence.

Attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.

To the greatest benefit of the least advantaged.

Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both –.

Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.

This group of people would agree upon the following principles for the realisation of justice – The concept of ‘original position’ played a significant role in Rawls’ principles along with the ‘veil of ignorance.’ He believes to base these principles by imagining a group of people who are unaware of their age, sex, race, religion, or economic class, wealth, income, intelligence, talents, etc. While designing his justice theory, Rawls has given two principles on which, according to him, is the core of the concept of justice.

He is a Contractarian and hence designed his work based on the social contract theory. Rawls’ is an anti-utilitarian he believes that justice can’t be derived through utilitarianism which says- the greatest happiness of the greatest number – which unfortunately ignores the needs of the minority. John Rawls’ has done a remarkable job while addressing the concept of justice in his book ‘A Theory of Justice.’ In his book, he defends the concept of justice as fairness. We can define war but not peace similarly, we can define injustice but not justice. We realise when things go wrong or bad but not when things are right or good.

John rawls a theory of justice 1971