Rawls, John

"A just society provides real opportunities for citizens to develop their talents."

"Political stability must rest on a consensus concerning principles of justice, not mere force."

"The original position captures the intuition that principles of justice must be fair to all."

"Democratic citizens must respect one another's freedom to pursue different conceptions of the good."

"Justice requires that inequalities work to improve the situation of the worst-off members of society."

"A fair system of property rights is part of the basic structure that justice governs."

"Citizens in a pluralistic democracy must find ways to cooperate despite deep disagreements."

"The social contract tradition provides important insights for contemporary political theory."

"Political philosophy must justify institutions by reference to principles acceptable to all."

"The basic structure of society must be arranged for the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members."

"Justice as fairness requires that inequalities benefit those who are worst off."

"A well-ordered society is stable when its members affirm the same conception of justice."

"The veil of ignorance ensures impartial principles of justice."

"Fair equality of opportunity demands more than formal non-discrimination."

"The duty of fair play binds us to institutions that benefit us."

"Civil disobedience is justified when fundamental injustice persists despite normal democratic channels."

"A just society protects the fundamental liberties of all its citizens equally."

"The original position models how rational agents would choose principles of justice."

"Political legitimacy rests on a fair system that all could reasonably accept."

"Inequalities in wealth and power must satisfy the difference principle."

"Primary goods—liberty, opportunity, income, wealth, and self-respect—are what all rational people want."

"Self-respect is perhaps the most important primary good."

"A liberal society respects the diversity of conceptions of the good life."

"The separateness of persons is fundamental to questions of justice."

"Rawls's theory rejects utilitarian aggregation in favor of individual rights."

"Overlapping consensus allows diverse worldviews to support the same political principles."

"The duty of civility requires citizens to explain their political proposals in terms others can accept."

"Stability for the right reasons means people accept justice from a sense of justice, not mere prudence."

"A just basic structure is the first virtue of social institutions."

"Public reason constrains the justification of political power in a diverse society."