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The "Difference Principle": Economic Rationality and Political Applicability

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  • Claude Gamel

    (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

On deliberation in the public debate, Rawls' approach known as "justice as fairness" has been much more commented that the "difference principle" emerged from there as a major result: even though based on an equal initial position, "justice as fairness" paradoxically justifies an essential benchmark in the debate on inequalities. Indeed, the "difference principle" compresses many issues: distinguishing between naturel and social matters which both contribute to inequalities, defining a level of permitted inequalities we should have to tolerate not as just but effective ones, preserving market incentives in so far they contribute to value creation, which has later to be redistributed. The paper explores all these questions, that concern the philosophical-economic rationality of the principle and its political-societal applicability as well. In conclusion, its contribution to the debate on inequalities, which is beyond all doubt, seems rather economic than philosophical and is based on a liberal presupposition, which is rarely identified and recognised.

Suggested Citation

  • Claude Gamel, 2022. "The "Difference Principle": Economic Rationality and Political Applicability," Post-Print halshs-03975342, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03975342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Rawls, 1974. "Reply to Alexander and Musgrave," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 88(4), pages 633-655.
    2. Amedeo Spadaro & François Bourguignon, 2003. "Les modèles de microsimulation dans l’analyse des politiques de redistribution : une brève présentation," Économie et Prévision, Programme National Persée, vol. 160(4), pages 231-238.
    3. Rawls, John, 1974. "Some Reasons for the Maximin Criterion," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 64(2), pages 141-146, May.
    4. Harsanyi, John C., 1975. "Can the Maximin Principle Serve as a Basis for Morality? A Critique of John Rawls's Theory," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 69(2), pages 594-606, June.
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