773A43
Normative Theories of International Relations
Adrian Guindal Estevez
Ekaterina Skoblina
Olga Chernykh
Viktoryia Khadan
Why Rawls needs two original positions
Rawls in his book Law of Peoples deals with the conception of justice for social structure and
uses two original positions for its analysis. The idea of two original positions is based on the
current of thought of social contract. The research question of this seminar paper is the
importance of two original positions in Rawls’ theory of justice.
To begin with, it is necessary to define what Rawls means by two original positions.
According to Beitz, the original position is the variety of such conditions as motivation,
nature, and knowledge of the parties and principles they consider.1 The veil of ignorance is
main condition in discussing the notion of original positions. Rawls means by the term ‘veil
of ignorance’ the state in which parties do not possess knowledge about their own
characteristics.2 The veil of ignorance is used by parties to make decisions independently
without following the interests of its own category.
In addition, Rawls identifies two models of original position. First original position
characterises the actions of individuals on domestic level. In this case the veil of ignorance
excludes such knowledge as social position, their income, religion and ethnic background. In
the first model, Rawls deals with citizens as parties. According to Rawls, parties are capable
to be rational and reasonable as well as equal and free in terms of cooperation. In this model
citizens try to develop the basic principles of justice in order to meet the basic needs and
interests of citizens.3
Next, second original position deals with the actions of peoples on international level. The
veil of ignorance excludes such knowledge as the size of territory or population and the
strength of the people.4 In contrast to the first original position, Rawls uses peoples and not
states or citizens as actors, who are to consider the law of peoples.
Rawls needs two original positions to develop his theory of justice in identifying the law of
peoples. Rawls’ original position can be used as a universal model applied at domestic and
1
C. R. Beitz, Political Theory and International Relations, New Jersey, Princeton University Press, 1999, p.
130.
2
Loc. cit.
3
J. Rawls, The Laws of People, London, Harvard University Press, 2001, p. 30.
4
Ibid., p. 32
773A43
Normative Theories of International Relations
Adrian Guindal Estevez
Ekaterina Skoblina
Olga Chernykh
Viktoryia Khadan
international levels and that makes his conception valuable. In his work, Rawls discusses a
principle of justice that can be considered as universal because it can be used not only at the
domestic, but at the international level as well.
Original positions are used to analyze the
conception of justice, equality, freedom and cooperation in international relations.
However, Rawls theory of justice is utopian and can be criticised for several aspects. First of
all, some actors are not willing to cooperate at international level.5 Secondly, not all actors
can be open and can be entirely self-contained and unwilling to have relations of any kind.6
Finally, Rawls conception applies to a world of just states.7
What concerns the relevance of Rawls concept for contemporary international relations, it is
useful for avoiding international conflicts and wars. Rawls theory has as an aim to promote
justice in international relations as injustice leads to wars and conflicts. The law of peoples,
based on two original positions, can help to create a new type of cooperation in international
arena. Nevertheless, the concept of Rawls is utopian and its implementation to contemporary
international events is relevant on the theoretical level, as it helps to consider the possible
solving of conflicts. Moreover, this concept is necessary to analyse how the awareness of
parties’ positions - in terms of political, economic and military power – influences decisions
making process and attitudes to other parties in international cooperation.
5
C. R. Beitz, op. cit., p.131
Ibid., p. 132
7
Ibid., p. 135
6