Political And Economic Theory Is An Often Contentious Subject

Political and economic theory is an often contentious subject as it relates to how much interference governments should be allowed when it comes to rights and welfare of the public. One of the most debated topics asks the question â€Å"is it a part of the government s role to take wealth away from the rich to give to the poor?† John Rawls and Robert Nozick offer two differing theories about the role of government in distributing wealth. John Rawls argues that a just society must have equal rights for all. He defines a society as an organization of individuals who work together and create a social contract of moral and immoral actions. The goal of any society is to improve the lives of those who inhabit it, contradicting Nozick’s belief that†¦show more content†¦The second principle is called the difference principle which states that social or economic inequalities are only just if they help the most disadvantaged members of society. In this portion, Rawls does agree that material inequality is a necessity to encourage economic competition, but states that it is only just if it is then used to help those who have been disadvantaged by their social position. Rawls proposes that the difference principle is the core component of distributive justice and therefore justifies the redistribution of wealth from rich to poor at the hands of the state. Rawls develops the idea of an â€Å"original position† as a conception point and a justification for this theory of distributive justice. In this original position, an individual is standing behind a veil of ignorance which blocks out social class, economic class, sexuality or natural talents. In this place, an individual is in the position to make the most basic moral decisions because they face no external bias. If one knows no place in society, a rational person will make decisions that help those who are worse off. In the original position, the principles of justice would be agreed to by any rational human. This position supports the idea that while each person might have a different background, they should have a fair chance to pursue goals and the equality of opportunity despite theseShow MoreRelatedHow Social Movements Important For A Democracy Like New Zealand? Essay1601 Words   |  7 Pagesan issue which challenges the political authority. Tilly describes a social m ovement as a â€Å"sustained challenge to powerholders in the name of a population [†¦] by means of repeated public displays† (Tilly, 1993, p 7, emphasis original). It is a space outside formal, institutionalised politics which â€Å"allows political energies to flow† (Norris, 2002). This alternative space can provide a platform for the voices of those who are disenfranchised and excluded from political institutions. The purpose ofRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement Of North Carolina Essay967 Words   |  4 Pagesclaimed. 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