Ending Structural Violence: A Rawlsian Approach to Liberation Theology.

• Main Author: Calloway, Jonathan
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2011
• Subjects: Political Science; Political Theory; Psychology; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/11; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=honors

Liberation theology has played an important role for overcoming structural violence. Originating in Latin America, the movement continues to expand throughout the developed and developing world. Marxism and liberation theology share similar philosophies – showing preferential option to the poor. While many Marxists may believe that a solution to structural violence is alienating violence through justified revolution, the chance of success is limited. Liberation is a process, not an event. This essay identifies an alternative to liberation: applying the teachings of John Rawls and applying the Suffering Servant model of Jesus Christ. When we apply the Veil of Ignorance and the Difference Principle to liberation theology, we can realistically implement a system of equity in juxtaposition to the goals of a Marxist.