Rawls and the Distribution of Education

Abstract

John Rawls has formulated two principles which are supposed to capture our intuitions about justice and to guide us in efforts to realize it in society. Although he may well consider the present distribution of resources for education just, if not perfectly so, it is argued in this paper that a much more nearly equal distribution is both desirable and more consistent with the spirit and intent of Rawls' principles. The distribution policy proposed would require the state to provide equal resources for all but the exceptionally talented and untalented, both of which groups would be eligible for extra allocations. Individuals would be at liberty to purchase additional education for themselves or others. An expansion in the range of programs and the times at which they could be pursued would be an important feature of an educational system designed to promote the Rawlsian goal of social stability based upon mutual respect.