A Theory of Justice — John Rawls (1971; Revised Edition 1999)

Widely regarded as the most influential work of modern political philosophy, Rawls reimagines justice as fairness. He argues that a just society is one whose institutions would be chosen by free and equal people making decisions without knowing their own place in society.

1. Justice Is the First Virtue of Society

2. Justice as Fairness

3. The Original Position & the Veil of Ignorance

4. The Two Principles of Justice

5. Equal Liberty Has Priority

6. Fair Equality of Opportunity

7. The Difference Principle

8. A Well-Ordered Society

9. Justice Rejects Utilitarianism

10. Justice Creates Legitimate Democratic Institutions

⭐ Star Facts

• Justice is the first virtue of society.
• Justice is based on fairness, not power or utility.
• The Veil of Ignorance asks us to design society without knowing our place in it.
• Every person is entitled to equal basic liberties.
• Basic freedoms cannot be traded for greater economic or social benefits.
• Equality of opportunity requires more than equal laws—people should have genuinely fair chances to succeed.
• Inequality is only just if it benefits the least advantaged (Difference Principle).