2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

Ayn Rand’s Objectivism and John Rawls’ Theory of Justice

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two cogent and morally just arguments for the adoption of his social justice theory in

the 21 st century.

Robert Nozick critiques Rawls’ Theory of Justice in his book Anarchy, State and

Utopia. In which he states that the only form of government that can be justifiable in

respect to morality is one with limited power. Nozick theorises that it cannot be proven

that an interventionalist style government will create a safer, secure and more equal

society. Nozick rationalises that, “the state may not use its coercive apparatus for the

purpose of getting some citizens to aid others, or in order to prohibit activities to people

for their own good or protection.” 19

Nozick’s argues that the distribution of wealth within Rawls’ proposed theory of justice

has inherent issues. Nozick proposes a counter theory namely the ‘entitlement theory’.

Nozick concludes that no individual should receive any help from the government. This

directly contrasts with Rawls’ ‘difference principle’. Nozick questions the right that

the disadvantaged should not automatically receive anything during the wealth

redistribution. 20 However, it is apparent that Nozick’s argument neglects the possibility

of anarchism arising from the concept of self-ownership. Therefore, Nozick’s position

becomes invalid as society must have a form of government to enforce a system of

justice and protect individual rights to any extent. 21

19 Stanford Encylopedia of Philosophy, 2019. Robert Nozick's Political Philosophy. [Online] 20 Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2017. Justice. [Online] 21 Stanford Encylopedia of Philosophy, 2019. Robert Nozick's Political Philosophy. [Online]

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