John Rawls develops his theory of equality through a distinctive methodological device known as “justice as fairness,” which is constructed through the original position and the veil of ignorance. Rather than beginning with existing social arrangements or empirical inequalities, Rawls asks us to imagine a hypothetical situation in which free and rational individuals must choose the principles of justice that will govern their society. In this original position, the parties are placed behind a veil of ignorance, which deprives them of knowledge about their own class, gender, race, talents, religious beliefs, social status, and conception of the good. They know only general facts about human psychology, economics, and social life. This device ensures impartiality, as no one can design principles to favor their particular situation. Equality, for Rawls, emerges from this fair procedure of selection. From this thought experiment, Rawls argues that rational individuals would choose two principles of justice. The first guarantees equal basic liberties for all citizens, such as freedom of speech, conscience, association, and the right to participate in political life. These liberties are to be distributed equally and cannot be sacrificed for social or economic advantages. The second principle governs social and economic inequalities. It has two parts: the principle of fair equality of opportunity and the difference principle. Fair equality of opportunity requires that positions and offices be open to all under conditions that ensure individuals with similar talents and ambitions have equal chances, regardless of their social background. The difference principle allows inequalities only if they are arranged so that they benefit the least advantaged members of society. Rawls’ idea of equality is thus not strict equality of income or resources. Instead, it