Rawls’ Concept Of Moderate Scarcity And Its Relevance In Global Justice
- IJLLR Journal
- May 1
- 1 min read
Manaswee, LLM, Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
ABSTRACT
This article examines John Rawls’ foundational concept of “moderate scarcity” and its significant implications for global distributive justice. While Rawls is often recognized for his "justice as fairness" framework and the "veil of ignorance," this piece foregrounds the condition of moderate scarcity that underpins his theory. Defined as a state where basic needs can be met but resources are insufficient to satisfy unlimited desires, moderate scarcity serves as a practical premise for determining just allocations in conditions of relative scarcity. The article further explores how this idea translates to global challenges such as food insecurity, healthcare inequality, and climate justice. It evaluates the contributions of scholars like Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, Thomas Nagel, and others, who have developed or critiqued Rawlsian principles. By integrating elements of game theory, the piece investigates how fairness, cooperation, and strategic decision-making intersect in resource-limited environments. Finally, it addresses the limitations of Rawls’ approach in light of modern complexities such as overpopulation, global inequality, and non-material determinants of justice, with particular relevance to India’s socio-economic landscape.
