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A comparative Analysis of the Government's Commitments to Poverty Alleviation in the Constitution with John Rawls's Theory of Justice
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Mohammadreza Vijeh *   , Abbas Erfanisirat |
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Abstract: (11 Views) |
This article presents a comparative analysis of the government’s commitments to poverty alleviation as stipulated in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran with John Rawls’s Theory of Justice. It seeks to answer the question of how the state’s obligations for poverty eradication are explained in the Constitution from the perspective of Rawls’s theory. Poverty and inequality constitute fundamental challenges for Iranian society. The Constitution, particularly in Articles 3, 29, 31, and 43, mandates clear obligations for addressing these issues and securing citizens' basic needs. This research utilizes Rawls’s "Justice as Fairness" theoretical framework and its key concepts, such as the "Difference Principle" and "Fair Equality of Opportunity," to evaluate the foundations and dimensions of these constitutional commitments. The article’s hypothesis is formulated as follows: Despite the existence of superficial similarities between Rawls's theory and the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, fundamental substantive conflicts significantly reduce the theoretical utility of Rawls's theory as a legal analytical tool for examining the state's poverty eradication obligations under the Iranian Constitution. The research method is descriptive-analytical and relies on documentary study. The findings indicate significant convergences between the two viewpoints in their overarching goals, including an emphasis on Improving the condition of the least advantaged members of society, Providing basic needs, Creating equal opportunities, and Accepting an active role for the state in wealth redistribution. Nevertheless, fundamental divergences are also observed, the most important of which is their ontological basis: the Constitution is founded on divine and Islamic principles, whereas Rawls’s theory is built upon a secular and rational social contract. This difference leads to distinct approaches concerning the prioritization of basic liberties, the nature of the state, and the scope of its authority to restrict individual rights in favor of the public interest.
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| Keywords: Poverty Alleviation, Social Justice, John Rawls, Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Government Commitments. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
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