Synopsis
Rawls extends his justice theory to international relations, sketching principles that liberal and decent peoples could accept for a fair society of nations.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Modern copyrighted workA just world order does not require every society to be liberal, only that peoples be decent, non-aggressive, and willing to honor shared principles.
It carves a middle path between imposing liberalism everywhere and accepting anything, defining tolerable diversity among nations.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with John Mearsheimer, Tragedy of Great Power Politics.
Reading note
Expect a deliberately modest, non-cosmopolitan proposal that has frustrated readers wanting stronger global egalitarianism.
Best paired with
John Mearsheimer, Tragedy of Great Power Politics