Revisiting John Rawls’ Theory of Justice as Fairness in the Twenty-First Century: A Critical Philosophical Examination of Economic Inequality, Welfare Democracy, War, Digital Divide, Gender Justice, and the Indian Constitutional Vision in the Contemporary Global Order

Mamina Sahoo

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82532

Revisiting John Rawls’ Theory of Justice as Fairness in the Twenty-First Century: A Critical Philosophical Examination of Economic Inequality, Welfare Democracy, War, Digital Divide, Gender Justice, and the Indian Constitutional Vision in the Contemporary Global Order

Author(s)	Mamina Sahoo
Country	India
Abstract	The 21st-century global order is defined by a series of interconnected challenges. Rather than isolated problems, the contemporary world faces multiple situations where the digital divide, gender injustice, and economic gaps meet. In this complex global environment, the philosophy of John Rawls remains a vital normative framework for evaluating justice within and beyond nation-states. This article revisits Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness and critically examines its relevance to contemporary global challenges. By analysing the principles of equal basic liberties and the difference principle, the study explores how Rawls’ framework addresses structural inequality, welfare democracy, distributive justice, and institutional legitimacy. The paper further evaluates the applicability of Rawlsian thought to issues such as war and global human rights, digital inequality in the age of technological capitalism, and ongoing debates in gender justice. Rawls conceptualized justice as fairness through two key principles: equal basic liberties for all and the arrangement of social and economic inequalities to benefit the least advantaged. His “original position” and “veil of ignorance” are foundational thought experiments to design impartial principles of justice. Rawls’s later work shifted from a comprehensive moral doctrine to a “political conception of justice,” accommodating diverse and reasonable worldviews.
Keywords	Justice as Fairness, Economic Inequality, Welfare Democracy, Global Justice, Digital Divide, Gender Justice, Constitutionalism
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-04
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82532

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Revisiting John Rawls’ Theory of Justice as Fairness in the Twenty-First Century: A Critical Philosophical Examination of Economic Inequality, Welfare Democracy, War, Digital Divide, Gender Justice, and the Indian Constitutional Vision in the Contemporary Global Order

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