Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness (ISC Class 11 Political Science)
Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked
Justice (Latin jus) means giving each person what is due; its dimensions are legal, social, economic and political. For John Rawls (A Theory of Justice, 1971) justice is fairness: people behind a veil of ignorance would choose equal basic liberties and allow inequalities only if they are open to all and benefit the least advantaged (the difference principle).
Understand Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness
Meaning. Latin jus: right or bond. Plato (The Republic): each person and class performing the function for which best suited. Aristotle: distributive justice (honours and goods in proportion to merit) and corrective justice (setting right wrongs, as courts do). Roman law: the constant and perpetual will to give everyone his due. Three common principles: equal treatment of equals; proportionate rewards for effort and skill; special consideration for special needs. Dimensions: legal, social, economic and political justice; the Preamble of India promises justice, social, economic and political.
Rawls (1921-2002), A Theory of Justice (1971). (1) Justice as fairness: justice is the first virtue of institutions; principles are those that free and rational people would agree to under fair conditions. (2) A social contract thought experiment, not a historical event. (3) Original position: people choose the principles for their society. (4) Veil of ignorance: they do not know their class, caste, sex, wealth, talents, religion or view of the good life. (5) Since no one knows their position, they cannot choose principles favouring themselves; they protect the worst-off position in case it is theirs. (6) Primary goods: rights and liberties, opportunities, income and wealth, and the social bases of self-respect.
Two principles. First (equal liberty): each person has an equal right to the most extensive scheme of basic liberties compatible with a similar scheme for all. Second: social and economic inequalities are acceptable only if (a) attached to offices open to all under fair equality of opportunity (real chances through education and support) and (b) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged (the difference principle). Priority: liberty first; fair opportunity before the difference principle. Implications: liberal democracy with a welfare state; unequal rewards fair if they help the least advantaged; in India reservations and scholarships can be defended as fair equality of opportunity.
Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness: key facts
- Meaning
Jus right or bond Give each his due Plato function Aristotle distributive and corrective - Dimensions
- Legal
- Social
- Economic
- Political
- Rawls's device
- Original position
- Veil of ignorance
- Primary goods
- Rawls's principles
- Equal basic liberties
- Fair equality of opportunity
- Difference principle
- Liberty has priority
How to answer Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness questions
Features-only questions are 4 marks; add the meaning and Indian link for 6 to 8 marks.
- 1Give the meaning and classical views.
- 2List the dimensions with the Preamble.
- 3Describe the original position and veil of ignorance.
- 4State the two principles with their priority.
Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Choosing blindly
Suppose three friends divide a cake knowing the cutter takes the last piece.
Which Rawlsian idea does this model?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The cutter does not know which piece he will get, so he cuts equally.
- This is like the veil of ignorance.
Answer: The veil of ignorance.
Memory hook: Cut fairly when you cannot choose.
Which society?
Suppose three societies give three groups incomes (5, 5, 5), (3, 10, 20) and (6, 8, 9). A group is chosen blindly.
Which would Rawls's difference principle favour?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Compare the minimum: 5, 3 and 6.
- Society (6, 8, 9) has the highest minimum, so Rawls would favour it.
Answer: The society with incomes (6, 8, 9).
Memory hook: Maximise the worst case.
Tricks to remember Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
VOP
Veil, Original position, Primary goods.
Use it when: Rawls's device.
Liberty first, then fair chance, then the worst-off
Priority order of principles.
Use it when: Rawls.
Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Book · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
A Theory of Justice was published in:
(a) 1951
(b) 1971
(c) 1981
(d) 2009
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Rawls.
Answer: (b) 1971.
Example 2: Dimensions · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
Name the four dimensions of justice.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Legal and social justice.
- Economic and political justice.
Answer: Legal, social, economic, political.
Example 3: Veil of ignorance · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Explain the original position and the veil of ignorance and why they lead to fair principles.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- People imagine meeting to choose principles for society.
- Behind the veil they do not know their class, caste, sex, wealth, talents or religion.
- So they cannot choose principles favouring themselves.
- They protect the worst-off position in case it is theirs.
Answer: Ignorance of one's own position forces fair, protective principles.
Example 4: Two principles · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
State and explain Rawls's two principles of justice and their priority.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- First: equal basic liberties for all.
- Second: inequalities allowed if attached to offices open to all under fair equality of opportunity.
- And if they benefit the least advantaged (difference principle).
- Liberty has priority; fair opportunity before the difference principle.
Answer: Equal liberties, fair opportunity and the difference principle, in that priority.
Example 5: Numerical case · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Case: Three societies give incomes to three groups (low, middle, high): A (5, 5, 5), B (3, 10, 20), C (6, 8, 9). (a) Find the average of each. (b) Name the society a utilitarian-style total would favour. (c) Name the one Rawls would favour and why.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (a) A: 15/3 = 5; B: 33/3 = 11; C: 23/3 = 7.67.
- (b) B, which has the highest total (33).
- (c) C, because its worst-off group has the highest income (6), which satisfies the difference principle.
Answer: (a) 5, 11, 7.67 (b) B (c) C, highest minimum.
Where students lose marks in Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Treating the original position as history
Thought experiment missed.
Do this: It is a thought experiment, not a historical event.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Omitting the priority rules
Principles listed only.
Do this: State liberty first and fair opportunity before difference.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Missing the Preamble
Indian link absent.
Do this: Mention justice: social, economic and political.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Exam tips
- List six features of Rawls.
- State the two principles in full.
- Explain why the veil matters.
- Add an Indian link.
Practice questions on Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The difference principle supports inequalities that:
(a) benefit the rich
(b) benefit the least advantaged
(c) benefit the majority
(d) are inheritedHint
Maximin.
Answer
(b) Benefit the least advantaged.
Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Distinguish distributive and corrective justice according to Aristotle.
Hint
Honours versus wrongs.
Answer
Distributive justice shares honours and goods in proportion to merit; corrective justice sets right wrongs between individuals, as courts do.
Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Rawls lived 1921-2002 and published in 1971. Find his age at publication and years lived after.
Hint
Subtract.
Answer
Age: 1971 - 1921 = 50; lived 2002 - 1971 = 31 years after.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain how reservations and scholarships can be defended by Rawls's theory.
Hint
Fair equality of opportunity.
Answer
They provide real chances through education and support, which fair equality of opportunity requires, and help the least advantaged.
Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Case: A critic says Rawls's veil is unrealistic because people never forget who they are. (a) State the purpose of the veil. (b) Say whether Rawls treated it as history. (c) Give one Indian link.
Hint
Thought experiment.
Answer
(a) To make people choose principles fair to all. (b) No, it is a thought experiment. (c) The Preamble promises social, economic and political justice, or reservations as fair opportunity.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Rawls's book?Show answer
A Theory of Justice, 1971.
2.What is the original position?Show answer
A thought-experiment starting point.
3.Plato's justice?Show answer
Each doing own function.
4.Roman definition?Show answer
Give everyone his due.
5.Second principle part (b)?Show answer
Difference principle.
Meaning of Justice and Rawls's Justice as Fairness: frequently asked questions
Does Rawls ban inequality?
No, only inequality that does not help the least advantaged.
What are primary goods?
Rights, opportunities, income and self-respect.
What does the Preamble promise?
Justice: social, economic and political.