Race in Political Philosophy

political philosophy's primary concern

Justice, specifically the treatment of individuals and groups by political and social institutions.

Rawls's influence in political philosophy

Since the 1970s, Rawls's work has been most influential; even critics often use his ideas.

social contract theory basic idea

Society and polity should be thought of as consensually brought into existence by equal human beings in a presocial and prepolitical stage.

descriptive claim of social contract theory

The sociopolitical realm is a human creation, not an organic growth or the work of God.

normative claim of social contract theory

Human equality in the state of nature should translate into social and political equality.

Rawls's justice as fairness

A defense of liberalism, egalitarianism, and the inviolability of the individual; ideal theory for already well-ordered societies.

ideal theory (Rawls)

Political theory for societies that are already well-ordered: citizens know laws, accept them as just, and know others do as well.

original position

A hypothetical scenario where rational, free, and equal agents select rules of society behind a veil of ignorance, not knowing their own interests or identities.

veil of ignorance

Prevents people from knowing their own interests or identities, ensuring they choose fair principles of justice impartially.

liberty principle (Rawls)

Equal basic liberties for all.

fair equality of opportunity (Rawls)

One part of the equality principle; ensures fair opportunity for all.

difference principle (Rawls)

Inequality must be to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society; assumes luck plays an important role in inequality.

non-ideal theory

Theory for societies that aren't well-ordered and contain injustice, with the long-term goal of bringing society to the condition of being just.

capabilities approach (Amartya Sen)

Framework evaluating human welfare by focusing on what people are actually able to do and be (capabilities and functionings), not just what they possess.

injustice theories

Theory focused on how problems are created and maintained, starting from the experience of injustice but without aiming towards a clear, pre-established ideal picture.

applicative justice

The process of extending justice already applied to some people to new groups or individuals.

Mills's critique of Rawlsian ideal theory

Rawls's original position has become the tacit representation of actual society, proceeding as if white supremacy had not been central to US basic structure.

domination contract (Mills)

Society is created by groups (whites, the privileged classes, men) acting in coordination to secure unfair group advantage, masked by obfuscatory ideologies.

modified original position for non-ideal theory

Veil of ignorance but you know society has a history of racial injustice, and you might be a person of color in a white supremacist state.

corrective justice measures from modified original position

Ending second-class citizenship, ending racial exploitation, ending racial disrespect.

objection to racial contract: master's tools

Social contract theory and liberalism are part of the master's tools and cannot advance an antiracist agenda.

Mills's response to master's tools objection

Some master's tools (contractarianism, liberalism) are not problematic in themselves but only contingently racialized, and flexible enough for progressive usages.

objection to racial contract: no guidance

The racial contract counters false descriptions but provides no guidance for corrective racial justice.

Mills's response to no guidance objection

Limiting choices to principles for dismantling a racialized basic structure, the thought experiment can generate principles of corrective justice.

objection to racial contract: insensitive to other oppressions

The racial contract is insensitive to gender, class, sexual orientation, and disability.

Mills's response to insensitivity objection

We can extend the domination contract to all of these forms of oppression