John Rawls redefined justice by blending liberal and egalitarian traditions. His A Theory of Justice presents justice as fairness, using a thought experiment called the original position where individuals, behind a veil of ignorance, design principles of justice without knowing their class, gender, or status.

Rawls combined the liberal concern for liberty with the egalitarian emphasis on equality. The first principle guarantees equal basic liberties—freedom of speech, conscience, association—which cannot be compromised. This reflects his liberal orientation. The second principle, known as the difference principle, permits inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. This reflects his egalitarian orientation.

Rawls thus rejects utilitarianism, which sacrifices minority interests for majority welfare. Instead, his distributive justice ensures fairness by protecting liberty while addressing structural inequalities. He viewed social cooperation as the foundation of justice, requiring institutions to distribute resources in ways that enhance both freedom and equality.

His theory influenced welfare-state models, affirmative action, and debates on global justice. By fusing liberal rights with egalitarian fairness, Rawls offered a comprehensive moral justification for distributive justice.