Kai Nielsen in his book entitled, Equality and Liberty: A Defense of Radical Egalitarianism 1 sets out to criticize Rawls's theory of justice. Assuming a general familiarity of the reader with Rawls's view (Section I) I shall (a) set-out Nielsen's criticism of Rawls and (b) identify his own vie, w which he calls "justice as equality." Rawls's theory will be expounded only insofar as it is necessary to throw light on Nielsen's objections. Then (Section II) I shall assess part of Nielsen's own view.
(a) Nielsen's first objection to RaMs is that the latter's difference principle has to be abandoned in favor of a more egalitarian principle based on Rawls's own criteria. According to Nielsen, Rawls's difference principle justifies welfare state capitalism with unequal power and authority attached to different social positions. This deviation from the general conception of justice is justified, according to Rawls, since it "works to make everyone better-off in comparison to a benchmark of initial equality ''2 by providing for incentives in productive activity, which will in turn provide for efficiency and thereby more material goods at the disposal of society. Since the difference principle requires us to benefit the people in the worst-off positions, their positions will improve, for they will have more material goods. RaMs defines rationality as wanting more primary goods rather than less. Therefore, it would be irrational for members of the worst-off positions to opt for complete equality.
Nielsen claims that this line of reasoning fails to justify a deviation from the general conception of justice because Rawls's understanding of social positioning here betrays his own (RaMs's) thin theory of the good. Rawls's understanding of the "worst-off position" and "improving the position of'' are simply based on monetary considerations, which is only one among several of the primary goods. Other primary goods are: basic rights and liberties, opportunities and powers of authority, and self-respect. A just capitalistic economic structure as justified by Rawls's difference principle, will inevitably have unequal power and authority