The global economy exhibits profound disparities in wealth and development across regions, resulting not only in substantial income inequalities between nations but also in widespread unequal opportunities among individuals and social groups. This article provides a comparative analysis of the perspectives of John Rawls and Israel M. Kirzner, two influential thinkers representing distinct economic philosophies, regarding justice, inequality, and the market economy. Rawls defends an egalitarian social model, asserting that the state bears the responsibility to ensure justice and mitigate inequality through redistributive mechanisms. In contrast, Kirzner emphasizes market dynamics and the role of entrepreneurship, arguing that inequality should be evaluated primarily in terms of its impact on productive activities and entrepreneurial discovery. For Kirzner, inequality becomes problematic only when it obstructs market processes and inhibits entrepreneurial initiative. This study elucidates the fundamental divergences between Rawls’s and Kirzner’s views on social justice, exploring how each conceptualizes and responds to inequality within the framework of a market economy. By juxtaposing these frameworks, the article not only clarifies a central tension in political economy but also proposes that their integration is essential for addressing the structural and dynamic drivers of inequality in today's globalized economy.
Gökçay et al. (Thu,) studied this question.