Scope and consequences of the Rawlsian universalism in The law of peoples

A problematization of tolerance

Abstract

Here I analyse and question the scope of the Rawlsian proposal about the universalization of the political principles. In this paper, the political principles are chosen by members of different societies, always considering each individual’s particularity and appealing to their constructive ability supported by an appropiate public deliberation. This analysis is mainly centered on the text The law of peoples and suggests that the Rawlsian reflection points to a certain universalism directed towards people’s contextualization. The Rawlsian claim does not achieve its objective because it does not provide an effective pluralism maintaining the liberal doctrine as a substantive criterion. In this way, tolerance in its positive sense of equality is approached.