SUS1501 ASSIGNMENT 04
Is this ok? Analysing Inequality through Rawls’ Principles and Veil of
Ignorance
1. Analysis of Inequalities using Rawls’ Principles
Child Labour and Tech Billionaires in the Context of Rawls’ Principles
Greatest Equal Liberty:
According to Rawls’ first principle, every individual should enjoy equal basic rights,
such as freedom of speech, the right to education, and fair treatment under the law
(Rawls, 1971). Child labour clearly violates this principle, as children are deprived of
their fundamental rights to education and protection from exploitation. The practice
undermines their liberty and potential, which should be universally guaranteed
regardless of circumstances. Conversely, tech billionaires, while often exercising
extensive freedoms, may sometimes influence policies or social norms in ways that
could threaten the liberties of others—such as privacy rights or freedom from
monopolistic practices—raising questions about whether their freedoms are
compatible with others’ rights.
Equality of Fair Opportunity:
Rawls’ second principle emphasizes that all individuals should have an equal chance
to attain positions of advantage, like leadership or wealth, regardless of their social
background. Child labour perpetuates inequality by denying children access to
education and development opportunities, especially in impoverished communities—
meaning their life chances are arbitrarily limited from the outset. This violates the
principle of fair opportunity.
On the other hand, tech billionaires often benefit from inherited social privileges and
access to resources that give them a head start in education and entrepreneurship. If
the system is fair, everyone should have an equal chance to succeed, but child
labour effectively blocks this. For the billionaires, their wealth and success could be
seen as a result of an unequal starting point, which Rawls would argue is unjust
unless disparities serve the benefit of the least advantaged (the difference principle).
The Difference Principle:
This principle permits inequalities only if they benefit the least well-off (Rawls, 1971).
Is this ok? Analysing Inequality through Rawls’ Principles and Veil of
Ignorance
1. Analysis of Inequalities using Rawls’ Principles
Child Labour and Tech Billionaires in the Context of Rawls’ Principles
Greatest Equal Liberty:
According to Rawls’ first principle, every individual should enjoy equal basic rights,
such as freedom of speech, the right to education, and fair treatment under the law
(Rawls, 1971). Child labour clearly violates this principle, as children are deprived of
their fundamental rights to education and protection from exploitation. The practice
undermines their liberty and potential, which should be universally guaranteed
regardless of circumstances. Conversely, tech billionaires, while often exercising
extensive freedoms, may sometimes influence policies or social norms in ways that
could threaten the liberties of others—such as privacy rights or freedom from
monopolistic practices—raising questions about whether their freedoms are
compatible with others’ rights.
Equality of Fair Opportunity:
Rawls’ second principle emphasizes that all individuals should have an equal chance
to attain positions of advantage, like leadership or wealth, regardless of their social
background. Child labour perpetuates inequality by denying children access to
education and development opportunities, especially in impoverished communities—
meaning their life chances are arbitrarily limited from the outset. This violates the
principle of fair opportunity.
On the other hand, tech billionaires often benefit from inherited social privileges and
access to resources that give them a head start in education and entrepreneurship. If
the system is fair, everyone should have an equal chance to succeed, but child
labour effectively blocks this. For the billionaires, their wealth and success could be
seen as a result of an unequal starting point, which Rawls would argue is unjust
unless disparities serve the benefit of the least advantaged (the difference principle).
The Difference Principle:
This principle permits inequalities only if they benefit the least well-off (Rawls, 1971).
