Social Liberalism

1. What is social liberalism?
   

2. List the reasons why the idea of social liberalism gradually became more popular.

3. How many of the reasons were ideological and how many were practical?

4. How would a liberal justify social liberalism in terms of liberal ideology?

Veil of Ignorance: There was an experiment called the veil of ignorance, developed by John Rawls in his 1971 book A Theory of Justice

John Rawls’ theory was that most people, if the ‘veil of ignorance’ applied to them, would opt for an egalitarian (fair and equal) society – not just because it is fair, just or right, but also because the desire to avoid poverty is greater than the attraction of riches.

1. Do you agree with Rawls?

The Difference Principle: Social and economic inequalities should be arranged so as to benefit the least well-off – but some inequality must remain to provide the incentive to work

6. Based on what you have read about Rawls, why is he still considered a liberal rather than a socialist philosopher?