Social Contract Theory

In recent decades, John Rawls has revived social contract theory and restored it to the centre of contemporary political philosophy.

For the state of nature, in which the social contract is formed, Rawls substitutes the original position. This is a set of hypothetical negotiations conducted from behind a veil of ignorance of the state of the world and one’s own position in it. It is Rawls’ view that whatever principles would find agreement in such negotiations are thereby legitimated.

The principles that Rawls believes would find acceptance in the original position are the principle of equal liberty, and the difference principle.