A Theory of Justice

Philosopher John Rawls offers justice as fairness, a social contract theory meant as an alternative to the utilitarianism that had long dominated English-speaking political thought. He asks which principles free and rational people would choose in an original position, behind a veil of ignorance that hides their class, talents and even their idea of the good. Rawls argues they would pick two: equal basic liberties for all, and a rule that inequalities are fair only with equal opportunity and only if they benefit the least advantaged, the difference principle. He then applies the theory to constitutional liberties, distribution, civil disobedience and conscientious objection. First published in 1971, it was later revised by Rawls and translated into many languages.

Zeall.us founder Lucas Morales named it on his list of contrarian reads, books he says few others are reading.