In eight pages this research paper discusses John Rawls' political philosophy within the context of a liberal political social order and also considers realist theoretical challenges. Eight sources are cited in the bibliography.
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workings of society or to propose how societies could function more effectively to provide for the needs of their citizens. According to D.H. Deudney, realism is the dominant approach to
world political theory and practice and this theory conceives of political order as a "dyad," insisting that there is a "sharp divide between the domestic and interstate realms."1 The most
"robust" challenge to the realist school of political theory comes from several forms of liberal theory.2 The following examination proposes that the theory that is most compatible with a successful
liberal political social order are the theories proposed by political philosopher John Rawls. Liberals argue, in general, that nation-states, which are internally organized as democratic republics, are unlikely to wage
war against one another and that capitalism formulates an economic interdependence that serves to moderate any possible conflict through the empowerment of other actors who serve to supplement nation-states
on the world political stage.3 As a term, "liberalism" can refer to political, economic, or even moral concepts. In the US, political liberalism has generally been used to refer to
a strategy designed to prevent social conflict due to inequalities in wealth.4 This conception of liberalism is presented to the poor and working-class people as a progressive political doctrine that
is contrasted with "conservative" or "right-wing" ideologies. Within the broader context of political theory. "liberalism" has a different meaning. The liberal tradition in political science is characterized by concepts
of "individual accountability and responsibility as against the notion of collective accountability and responsibility."5 Rawls acknowledges that his theory is one among a variety of possible theories of liberalism.6
According to one analyst, Rawls theory of liberalism is a reaction to liberalisms inability, or at least its widely perceived inability, to deal in a serious manner the circumstances associated