A Theory of Justice by John Rawls: 9 Minute Summary

 

A Theory of Justice by John Rawls: 9 Minute Summary

94 views  Jan 17, 2024  Philosophy & Ethics Book Summaries

BOOK SUMMARY

TITLE - A Theory of Justice

AUTHOR - John Rawls

DESCRIPTION:

📖 Looking for a classic on political philosophy? A Theory of Justice by John Rawls offers a compelling alternative to utilitarianism while expressing an essential part of the democratic tradition - justice as fairness. With revisions to the original text, this powerful theory is as relevant today as it was in 1971.

TIMESTAMPS:

⌚ 00:00 Introduction

⌚ 01:11 Beyond Classical Utilitarianism

⌚ 01:51 A Society's Fundamental Charter

⌚ 02:27 The Theory of Justice as Fairness

⌚ 03:40 The Veil of Ignorance and Justice

⌚ 04:23 Justice as Fairness

⌚ 05:27 Principles of Justice and Egalitarianism

⌚ 06:21 Justice as Fairness

⌚ 07:18 Justice as Fairness

⌚ 07:59 Final Recap

FULL BOOK:

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PRO-DEMOCRACY: IT'S THE ELECTORATE, STUPID.

 About 150 million people voted in the 2024 Presidential Election. About 90 million eligible (though not necessarily registered) people did not vote.

Of those who voted, the country was - broadly speaking - divided 50/50 with Republicans winning swing states by margin of error (or a little over in a state or two) amounts and Democrats winning a number of non-presidential races in some states that went for Trump and outperforming Harris in states that she won.

So the mathematics are simple enough that even I can understand them. As is the strategy.

The only liberal, pro-democracy party capable of winning a governable mandate (let's say 60% with strength to be reckoned with in the illiberal, anti-democratic states) is NOT the Greens, NOT the Socialists, NOT the Libertarians, not the numerous, oxymoronic non-partisan parties.

It is THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

As a wanderer in the Post-Republican diaspora, I will NOT register as a Democrat unless there is some tangible (i.e., election-winning) reason to do so (as, having spent my life supporting a major political party that has show it CANNOT lead, CANNOT follow, and CANNOT get the hell out of the way, I do not think I have ANY ADVICE TO GIVE to Democrats on how they should pick candidates or run elections..

But I will also VOTE DEMOCRAT for the rest of my days, again, unless there is some tangible - ELECTION-WINNING - reason to do so.

Because, other than self-serving virtue signaling, there is no liberal, pro-democratic ELECTION-WINNING justification for doing so (with the possible exception of local and statewide elections - presuming at the state level they intend to caucus with Democrats).

And, again, the strategy is simple if not easy.

Democrats need to effectively communicate a COALITION-BUILDING MESSAGE that includes, but is not limited to, their base and that can successfully RAID the non-registered, the non-voters, and the MAGA voters suffering the buyer’s remorse that is sure to come and convert that population into pro-liberal democracy votes.

A CAPITALIST KNOWS WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED.

 This is depressing, but this guy obviously knows his crap.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a series of major changes to the company's moderation policies and practices Tuesday, citing a shifting political and social landscape and a desire to embrace free speech. Professor and author Scott Galloway joins Morning Joe to discuss.

Jan. 8, 2025

MSNBC.COM 'Where's the leadership?'

TRUMP CAN *BUY* GREENLAND

 Good thing? Bad thing?

I suppose it would be a good thing for America but probably not a good thing for Greenland as he'd probably use the "economic power" he's prepared to unleash to "acquire" Canada, which would mean screwing the bejeezus out of those who lived there.

Would they become American citizens with the obligations and rights of the US Constitution, like the people of Alaska and Hawaii? 

Certainly not during the next four years.

And what if those in Greenland turn down Trump's "best" offer?

Time to claim "national security" and just seize Greenland by force?

"Greenland formally withdrew from the EU in 1985. Today, Greenland is still part part of the Danish crown, but the 2009 autonomy acts give Greenland the right to secession through a referendum. So the statement by Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, that Greenland is not for sale is bunk. This is up to the seller. The seller is not Denmark, but the 59,000 inhabitants of Greenland. Neither Denmark nor the EU can stop this. 

"Last year, Ursula von der Leyen and Frederiksen visited Greenland because they were alarmed by plans of Chinese investment in Greenlandic mining. Greenland has reservoirs of natural resources including rare earth metals - a market China is keen to dominate because of its importance for batteries and other high-tech equipment. The Greenland prime minister, Múte Bourup Egede, told them bluntly that Greenland is a poor country that welcomed foreign investment, including from China. After treating Greenland with contempt and neglect for so long, it is unsurprising that the country prioritises its narrow economic interests over European security concerns. And this, we think, is how Donald Trump might get them. "

"Falling on ice in Greenland" (EuroIntelligence)

DEATH: AN ENTITY OR AN ATTRIBUTE?

Looking through my Facebook friends, I am saddened by those friends who I know to be dead.

I'm a bit agnostic about what happens after we die. Restricting myself to THIS reality, apparently nothing much.

But I SUSPECT that something transcending this natural reality is responsible for the fact that my knowing that they are dead doesn't seem to have much of an effect on how I regard their status as friends as well as the effect they STILL have on me: in some cases DECADES after they departed this life.