ABSTRACT

This book develops and applies a unified interpretation of John Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness in order to clarify the account of citizenship that Rawls relies upon, and the kind of educational policies that the state can legitimately pursue to promote social justice. Costa examines the role of the family as the "first school of justice" and its basic contribution to the moral and political development of children. It also argues that schools are necessary to supplement the education that families provide, teaching the political virtues that support just social institutions. The book also examines the questions of whether civic education should aim at cultivating patriotic feelings, and how it should respond to the deep cultural pluralism of contemporary democratic societies.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|17 pages

What is a Just Society?

chapter 3|13 pages

Stability and Social Change

chapter 4|18 pages

The Family

chapter 5|16 pages

Reasonable Citizens

chapter 6|19 pages

Free and Equal Citizens

chapter 7|16 pages

Patriotism

chapter 8|18 pages

Cultural Diversity

chapter 9|4 pages

Concluding Remarks