Chapter 3 of Political Liberalism

 

Chapter 3 of John Rawls' "Political Liberalism" explores the idea of a "freestanding" political conception of justice. Rawls underscores that this conception should be independent of comprehensive religious, philosophical, or moral doctrines, and should instead be based on a shared political idea of justice that all citizens can reasonably accept. He further underlines that this idea must be formulated in a way that is compatible with a diverse and pluralistic society, and should provide a basis for public reason and political cooperation among citizens. Rawls also asserts that a political conception of justice should include basic liberties and rights, and should be structured in a way that enables citizens to pursue their own goals and values while respecting the rights and liberties of others. Rawls' aim in this chapter is to provide a framework for a just and stable political order that can be acceptable to all citizens, regardless of their comprehensive beliefs or worldviews. One of the concerns of Rawls that can be observed in this chapter is that social and political minorities are not discriminated against by the will and concerns of the majority, and that the minorities have as much liberties and rights as the majority communities do. 

Chapter 4 is here.