Democracy in Rawls: an analysis of the value and concept of democracy in rawlsian theory for an egalitarian model

Abstract

This article analyzes the evolution of the concept of democracy in John Rawls's work. Through a comparative analysis, the study demonstrates the progressive maturation of the concept of democracy, expanding from a structural element of justice to a central focus on political practice in the face of reasonable moral pluralism. The results reveal that a Rawlsian model of egalitarian liberal democracy is grounded in the values of equality, liberty, and fraternity, with fundamental human equality as its cornerstone. The research concludes that democracy is an intrinsic requirement of justice, seeking to ensure fairness and full participation in a society of equals. It is argued that principles of justice are crucial for translating these values into democratic institutions, balancing individual freedom with collective organization. The original contribution of this study lies in proposing this model from an analytical separation between democratic society and democratic regime, and in arguing that its legitimacy is anchored in guaranteeing the fairness of political opportunities, in contrast to the primacy of deliberation. Finally, the analysis contributes to understanding the relationship between justice and democracy in contemporary political philosophy, emphasizing the relevance of principles of justice and public reason for an effectively egalitarian liberal democracy.