John Rawls' theory of justice in the light of economics: a reconstruction.

Summary Rawls' initial ambition is to present an analysis of distributive justice that is superior to the utilitarian conception, which, according to him, is incapable of providing a satisfactory basis for justice in a democracy. In order to do this, Rawls mobilized, in his main work Theory of Justice [1971], ideas imbued with Anglo-Saxon political and moral philosophy, but also with many concepts forged by economists. This work thus became an essential reference for contemporary political philosophy, but also for economic theories of social justice. Our thesis proposes to reconstruct Rawls' theory, whose numerous but fragmented studies have given rise to very contradictory interpretations. Studying the author's thought in the light of economics serves to give an overall coherence to justice as equity, from its genesis to its latest developments. This methodology, in fact, allows us to show that beyond the indeterminacy of the principle of difference - which can justify both an ultraliberal policy and a policy inspired by socialist ideals - the improvement of the situation of the most disadvantaged requires the overcoming of the capitalist system. This system is not capable of meeting the requirements of the principles of justice defended by Rawls.