Wokeism in the name of Rawlsianism| Wokeism #6

John Rawls an American political philosopher is revered around the world for his theory of justice. Rawls’ theory is also known as Rawlsianism. Rawlsianism is often cited and straw manned by various left-of-center political thinkers and economists.

 

 

 

Rawls’ work is often quoted to implement Left of center policies in India and around the world. A theory of Justice attempts to provide a moral theory alternative to utilitarianism and that addresses the problem of distributive justice (the socially just distribution of goods in a society). The theory uses an updated form of Kantian philosophy and a variant form of conventional social contract theory. Rawls's theory of justice is fully a political theory of justice as opposed to other forms of justice discussed in other disciplines and contexts.

 

Also Read: Evolution of Critical Theory – Intersectionality| Wokeism #4 

 

In A Theory of Justice, Rawls argues for a principled reconciliation of liberty and equality that is meant to apply to the basic structure of a well-ordered society.[2] Central to this effort is an account of the circumstances of justice, inspired by David Hume, and a fair choice situation for parties facing such circumstances, similar to some of Immanuel Kant's views. Principles of justice are sought to guide the conduct of the parties. These parties are recognized to face moderate scarcity, and they are neither naturally altruistic nor purely egoistic. They have ends that they seek to advance but prefer to advance through cooperation with others on mutually acceptable terms. Rawls offers a model of a fair choice situation (the original position with its veil of ignorance) within which parties would hypothetically choose mutually acceptable principles of justice. Under such constraints, Rawls believes that parties would find his favored principles of justice to be especially attractive, winning out over varied alternatives, including utilitarian and 'right-wing libertarian accounts.

 

Also Read: Why Wokeism is indeed Neo-Marxism #3 

 

Rawls belongs to the social contract tradition, although he takes a different view from that of previous thinkers. Specifically, Rawls develops what he claims are principles of justice through the use of an artificial device he calls the Original position; in which, everyone decides principles of justice from behind a veil of ignorance. This "veil" is one that essentially blinds people to all facts about themselves so they cannot tailor principles to their own advantage. Rawls modifies and develops the principles of justice throughout his book. In chapter forty-six, Rawls makes his final clarification on the two principles of justice:

Now, before we link it to Wokeism, let us make it very clear that it is not the allegation that Rawls was a woke intellectual. Rawls’ theory may or may not be good for society, but we do not have any opinion on it as it has not yet been tried anywhere. But modern-day Marxists use him and his theory to portray their model of economics and society. But in fact, as we have discussed in the previous articles, Wokeism doe not identify any order whatsoever (that is until they are the ones giving orders), at least in principle.

 

Also Read: What does it mean to be Woke? #2 

 

Furthermore, Wokeism or Modern-day Marxism stretches this theory too far. It takes the Social and economic inequality part of his principles and runs with it. It then does conjuror’s trick through intellectual calisthenics to make it appear that there is only one solution which is wokeism because if you are born in a historically marginalized caste, race, gender, or sexuality, all others are your enemies and they will try to oppress you. That is the primary argument behind Wokeism. Veiled Marxists in India like Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar, and Arundhati Roy often cite Rawls to further their political agenda which need not be specified here. Wokeism comes in all shapes and sizes and more importantly packagings, we have to be careful of how Wokeism gets sold to us via colorful packaging through Rawlisanism or any other ism.