Justice as fairness in governance: Revisiting John Rawls in the context of public policy and administrative ethics
Author(s): Vivek Kumar Hind
Abstract: The 21st century,
envisioned as the century of justice, demands a critical rethinking of public
policy to ensure equitable distribution of resources, benefits, and
institutional participation among all, especially the marginalized. This paper
explores the philosophical and practical contributions of John Rawls
(1921–2002), one of the most influential moral and political philosophers of
the 20th century, to contemporary public administration and policy discourse.
Rawls’s seminal works—
A Theory of Justice (1971),
Political
Liberalism (1993), and
The Law of Peoples—collectively offer a
comprehensive framework for understanding justice in a pluralistic, democratic
society.
Rawls
conceptualized justice as fairness through two key principles: equal basic
liberties for all and the arrangement of social and economic inequalities to
benefit the least advantaged. His “original position” and “veil of ignorance”
are foundational thought experiments to design impartial principles of justice.
Rawls's later work shifted from a comprehensive moral doctrine to a “political
conception of justice,” accommodating diverse and reasonable worldviews within
a constitutional democracy through concepts like overlapping consensus and
public reason.
This paper argues
that Rawls’s ideas hold significant relevance in public administration,
especially regarding administrative ethics, social equity, and fair
policy-making. His influence is visible in the evolution of ethical standards,
the emphasis on impartiality in governance, and initiatives aimed at
distributive justice such as affirmative action. However, his theories have
faced substantial criticism from communitarian and feminist scholars who
challenge the abstract individualism, cultural neutrality, and limited
application of his framework—particularly regarding family, gender, and
relational ethics.
Ultimately, Rawls’s
legacy bridges moral philosophy and pragmatic governance, offering enduring
insights for shaping inclusive, just, and stable societies in the face of
global pluralism and social inequality.
DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i5c.547Pages: 237-242 | Views: 70 | Downloads: 11Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Vivek Kumar Hind.
Justice as fairness in governance: Revisiting John Rawls in the context of public policy and administrative ethics. Int J Political Sci Governance 2025;7(5):237-242. DOI:
10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i5c.547
