PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Equality

Critically analyse John Rawl’s argument for democratic equality.

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 Rawls = most systematic liberal bid to join liberty + equality democratic equality its core form

Route 2 justice as fairness via original position / veil of ignorance contingencies neutralised persons as ends

Body flow

original position + veil anti-utilitarian (person as end, no sacrifice for aggregate) first principle: equal basic liberties + lexical priority second principle: fair equality of opportunity prior to difference principle difference principle benefits least advantaged three combine: freedom + equality, inequality constrained, weakest protected

Counter-view

Arneson: only mitigates contingencies, not truly egalitarian Sen: resources not capabilities, equal resources ≠ equal real freedom

Conclusion routes

Route 1 strength = least advantaged shielded from utilitarian trade-offs

Route 2 limit = weighs means, not the real freedom to live a valued life

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2016, Equality