Reconsidering rawls: justice and solidarity

Abstract

The aim of the present thesis is to explore the solidaristic foundations of Rawls’ liberal theory of justice. Critics commonly argue that Rawls neglects solidarity and civic bonds, and adopts an individualistic perspective. I argue that the ready dismissal of critics of the possibility of solidarity in Rawls’ works lies in their identification of community and solidarity. Communitarians view civic solidarity as essentially rooted in the tacit solidarities already in place in society, and conclude that only by facilitating these already-existing bonds and attachments can civic bonds in society be strengthened. In this respect, I argue that, Rawls’ communitarian critics ignore the two central activities of citizens that Rawls endorses: “the productive activity” and “the activity of political participation” and how these activities could foster citizens’ solidarity. In this vein, I argue that two distinct kinds of solidarity can be detected and developed in A Theory of Justice: democratic and economic solidarity. I argue that in A Theory of Justice, Rawls conceives of citizens as active contributors to the joint social product. “The difference principle” requires inequalities benefiting the least advantaged and as such it expresses the solidarity of the least and most advantaged economic classes in society. And, democratic solidarity, for Rawls, is generated by citizens' desire to establish and sustain just democratic institutions.