ETHICS |
Chapter 9. Rawl's Theory: Justice as Fairness |
Section 4. Problems with Rawl's Theory |
PROBLEMS:
Because
there has been such extensive discussion of the Difference Principle in
the last 30 years, there have been numerous criticisms of it from the
perspective of all five other theories of distributive justice. Briefly,
the main criticisms are as follows.
1.
Advocates of strict equality argue that inequalities permitted by the
Difference Principle are unacceptable even if they do benefit the least
advantaged. The problem for these advocates is to explain in a
satisfactory way why the relative position of the least advantaged is more
important than their absolute position, and hence why society should be
prevented from materially benefiting the least advantaged when this is
possible. The most common explanation appeals to solidarity : that being
materially equal is an important expression of the equality of persons.
Another common explanation appeals to the power some may have over others,
if they are better off materially. Rawls’ response to this latter
criticism appeals to the priority of his first principle: The inequalities
consistent with the Difference Principle are only permitted so long as
they do not result in unequal liberty. So, for instance, power
differentials resulting from unequal income are not permitted if they
violate the first principle of equal liberty, even if they increase the
material position of the least advantaged group.
2.
The Utilitarian objection to the Difference Principle is that it does not
maximize utility. In A Theory of Justice, Rawls uses Utilitarianism
as the main theory for comparison with his own, and hence he responds at
length to this Utilitarian objection and argues for his own theory in
preference to Utilitarianism (some of these arguments are outlined in the
section on Welfare-Based
Principles)
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justice-distributive/#Welfare
3.
Libertarians object that the Difference Principle involves unacceptable
infringements on liberty. For instance, the Difference Principle may
require redistributive taxation to the poor, and Libertarians commonly
object that such taxation involves the immoral taking of just holdings.
(see Libertarian Principles)
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justice-distributive/#Libertarian
4. The Difference Principle is also criticized as a primary distributive principle on the grounds that it mostly ignores claims that people deserve certain economic benefits in light of their actions. Advocates of Desert-Based Principles argue that some may deserve a higher level of material goods because of their hard work or contributions even if their unequal rewards do not also function to improve the position of the least advantaged. They also argue that the Difference Principle ignores the explanations of how people come to be in the more or less advantaged groups, when such explanations are relevant to the fairness of these positions.
5.
The Original Position and the Veil of Ignorance may exclude some morally
relevant information. the theory excludes in order to promote rationality
and is biased in favor of rationality.
6. Some criticize it for being similar to Utilitarianism in as much as these two principles could permit or demand inequalities and suffering in order to benefit the least well off.
7.
Like Desert theorists, advocates of Resource-Based Principles criticize
the Difference Principle on the basis that it is not
‘ambition-sensitive’ enough, i.e. it is not sensitive to the
consequences of people’s choices. They also argue that it is not
adequately ‘endowment-sensitive’: it does not compensate people for
natural inequalities (like handicaps or ill-health) over which people have
no control.
8.
There is also the difficulty in applying the theory to practice.
It is difficult if not impossible for people to place themselves
under the Veil of Ignorance in the Original Position in order to formulate
what conduct would be required of them by the MAXI MIN Principle.
9. Some question whether or not people are rational enough to assume the veil of ignorance and operate under the two principles.
10. The theory was developed more to handle problems within society and there are difficulties in applying the principles to individual decision-making involving specific others.
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© Copyright Stephen O Sullivan and Philip A. Pecorino 2002. All Rights reserved.
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