The Individual in Society Between Peace and War: On a Particular Point of Rawls’ Political Philosophy Cover Image

Pojedinac u društvu između mira i rata: o jednoj točki Rawlsove političke filozofije
The Individual in Society Between Peace and War: On a Particular Point of Rawls’ Political Philosophy

Author(s): Josip Berdica
Subject(s): Political Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Military policy, History and theory of political science, Studies in violence and power
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: liberalism; John Rawls; civil disobedience; war;

Summary/Abstract: From the Theory of Justice to the Law of Peoples liberalism of John Rawls develops from individualism to one specific form of the so-called “Communitarian liberalism”. In the Theory Rawls discussed the individual and his duty to avoid war (civil disobedience), while in the Law of Peoples he discussed society and the duties of well-organized Nations to launch war if human rights are endangered. The first perspective is individualistic and peaceful, while the other is more social and does not seem too pacifist. The first seems interpreted from the perspective of an ordinary citizen of liberal constitutional democracy, while the other is more like an interpretation from someone who holds the power. In that development of Rawls’ liberalism, what is intriguing is the potential conflict between individuals and society, which is particularly evident in his understanding of refusal to participate or justification to participate in war.

  • Issue Year: 36/2016
  • Issue No: 04/144
  • Page Range: 715-724
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Croatian