Political Economy and the roots of Rawls’ original position

Abstract

The impact and relevance of economic theory to the development of “A Theory of Justice” are often left aside in the immense literature regarding the works of John Rawls.
And yet, understanding the elements of political economy in Rawls’ work is fundamental for the comprehension of why Rawls’ will abandons a utilitarian approach to political
philosophy and, consequentially, for our understanding of the main issues that motivate the notion of Justice as Fairness. This article has two mains goals: First, to describe the
influence of John Stuart Mill, Kenneth Arrow and Vilfredo Pareto in the methodological turn found in the idea of the Original Position; and second, to describe the historical elements that are presupposed for the conceivability of Rawls’ ideals. I conclude the present paper with some remarks suggesting a historicist and phenomenological complement to the ideal descriptions found in political liberalism as understood by Rawls.