Political Philosophy and Ethics
Research Guide

Justice as fairness, as outlined in John Rawls's 'A theory of justice original edition' (23458 citations), expresses the core of democratic tradition by prioritizing equal basic liberties and arranging social inequalities to benefit the least advantaged. It serves as an alternative to utilitarianism dominant in Anglo-Saxon political thought. Rawls uses the original position and veil of ignorance to derive principles of justice.

Seymour Martin Lipset's 'Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy' (1959, 6872 citations) hypothesizes that economic development correlates with democratic stability through increased wealth and education. Higher living standards foster political legitimacy and tolerance for opposition. The paper attacks the problem from a sociological standpoint beyond pure philosophy.

Iris Marion Young’s 'Justice and the Politics of Difference' (2012, 6260 citations) argues that reducing social justice to distributive justice overlooks claims from excluded groups on decision-making and cultural recognition. It critiques impartiality and unitary moral subjectivity in prevailing theories. Justice requires addressing structural domination and cultural imperialism alongside resource distribution.

Garrett Hardin’s 'The Tragedy of the Commons' (2009, 6409 citations) describes how individuals acting in self-interest deplete shared resources like a common food basket. Private property or equivalents avert tragedy, while population growth exacerbates pollution as a commons problem. It identifies a moral principle linking freedom to population control in resource management.

Richard M. Emerson's 'Power-Dependence Relations' (1962, 6060 citations) defines power in social relations through one actor's dependence on another and cost-reduction processes. Power balances emerge from interdependent exchanges. The framework clarifies concepts like influence, dominance, and authority in social structures.

John Rawls's 'A theory of justice original edition' (23458 citations) substitutes utilitarianism with justice as fairness, ensuring equal liberties and fair equality of opportunity. Inequalities are permitted only if they benefit the least advantaged via the difference principle. The theory derives from rational choice behind a veil of ignorance.