Chapter 1 of John Rawls' Political Liberalism

Chapter 1 of Rawl's Political Liberalism introduces Rawls' main idea, which is to present a political conception of justice that can serve as a basis for a just and a stable society of free and equal citizens, even in a situation where people of various comprehensive philosophical, religious and moral doctrines live together. 

Rawls argues that such a political conception should not rely on any specific comprehensive worldview, but rather should be grounded in a shared public values and principles that can be reasonably justified to all citizens. He also introduces the idea of the original position, a hypothetical political circumstance in which citizens are made to choose principles of justice from behind a veil of ignorance, a situation that denies the citizens knowledge of their social, economic and natural traits. The reason for positioning the citizens behind such a veil is to prevent them from being bias in arriving at the principles that would then serve as a guiding 'north star' for their social lives. This hypothetical political circumstance is then employed to derive the two principles of justice that Rawls claimed are most reasonable and just: the first principle of equal basic liberties, and the second principle of fair equality of opportunity and the difference principle. 

A few sentences about the difference principle. 

The difference principle states that, in a society, social and economic inequalities are just if and only if they are arranged to benefit the least advantaged members of society as well. In other words, Rawls argues that inequalities in wealth, income, and social status are acceptable only if they are arranged in such a way as to work to the advantage of the people who are worst off. Rawls argues that this principle is necessary to ensure that the basic rights and liberties of all citizens are protected, and to ensure that the least advantaged members of society are not left behind. The difference principle is meant to be combined with the principle of fair equality of opportunity, which states that all citizens should have an equal chance to achieve positions of social and economic advantage, regardless of their background. Rawls argues that these two principles, when combined, provide a framework for a just and equal society.

Chapter 2 is here.