The Choice of Economic Systems in the Rawlsian Original Position

Abstract

Rawls' consideration not to include the choice of economic systems as part of a theory of justice is inconsistent with his comments on redistribution and the political effects of economic inequality. When Rawls' discussion of economic systems, and his discussion of economic inequalities are examined, it is apparent that the selection of economic systems is a pertinent topic for a theory of justice. The propensity for the primary social good of selfrespect to be satisfied can be affected by the selection of economic systems. Rawls has incorrectly determined the selection of economic systems to be unimportant if different economic systems can be more advantageous to the satisfaction of self-respect than others. When socialism and Rawls' version of regulated capitalism are compared socialism is a maximin solution, and accordingly will be selected by people within the original position under the veil of ignorance.

The Limits of an Egalitarian Ethos: G. A. Cohen's Critique of Rawlsian Liberalism

“…Rather, what causes a country to have advantageous outcomes is a just basic structure and not its mode of production. See Holt (2009b) for a more detailed presentation.…”