Related Ideas

There are several points to make about Rawls' first principle -- the principle of equal liberty.

First, in its final form this principle does not refer to the "most extensive basic liberty" but rather to "the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties." This is a subtle shift that moves Rawls away from those who speak of a general right to liberty and toward a list of specific liberties. Rawls gives us some idea of what he has in mind when he tells of that the basic liberties are, roughly, "political liberty (the right to vote and to be eligible for public office) together with freedom of speech and assembly; liberty of conscience and freedom of thought; freedom of the person along with the right to hold (personal) property; and freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure as defined by the concept of the rule of law." [Theory of Justice, section #11]

Second, Rawls distinguishes between having equal basic liberties and having liberties with equal "worth." Although everyone is to have equal basic liberties, the "worth of liberty is not the same for everyone. Some have greater authority and wealth, and therefore greater means to achieve their aims." [Theory of Justice, section #33]

Finally, the priority of liberty does not apply in all situations. It is included only in what Rawls calls the "special" conception of justice (as opposed to the "general" conception) and applies only to modestly affluent societies.

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