Ethics Essay: Nozick, Rawls, and Dharavi Redevelopment Analysis

This essay examines the ethical considerations of redeveloping the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India, as presented in the documentary 'Slumming It.' The analysis focuses on the implications of replacing the densely populated slum with housing complexes. The essay applies the justice theories of John Rawls and Robert Nozick to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of such a transformation. Rawls' theory of distributive justice, emphasizing social cooperation and fair opportunity, is used to argue that the redevelopment could be unjust due to its potential to displace residents and disrupt their livelihoods. Nozick's theory, which prioritizes justice in acquisition and transfer of property, is then considered, suggesting that a just transformation could be possible by adhering to fair processes. However, the essay concludes that achieving this in reality is challenging due to corruption and political interests. The essay provides a comparative analysis of both theories to determine the most ethical approach to property transformation in Dharavi.

Running head: ETHICS
Ethics
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Author’s note

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‘Slumming it’ is a documentary presented by Kevin McCloud which gave audience the
view of the most extreme urban environment in Dharavi, Mumbai. To analyze the good and bad
things of living in the densely populated place on earth, Kevin decides to eat and work there to
analyse the prospects of living there. Kevin also presents the man who plans redevelop the entire
Dharavi and make place for housing towers, schools and parks for residential purpose
(Slumming It – DocuWiki, 2017). . This paper evaluates the benefits of housing towers in place
of slums with support from the theories of Nozick and Rawls.
John Rawls’s theory is related to the distributive theory of justice, which regards society
as a system in which individuals cooperate with each other to gain mutual advantage. This is
associated with many conflicts too as interest of different individuals or certain groups differ
from one another. According to the principle of justice, social cooperation is dependent on
balanced division of benefits and burdens. Rawl’s theory proposed two principles of justice such
as the political justice and social justice to guarantee a morally acceptable society. The first
principle support each person to have equal right to total social system, whereas the second
principle supports managements of social and economic equalities to providing fair conditions of
opportunity to all (John, 2014). Considering this principle to describe the plans to replace
Dharavi with housing complex, it can be said that transforming Dharavi will be an unjustified
action because this will come at cost of closing down thousands of tiny industries. This will take
away homes and livelihood of many people and disrupt the social principle of social fair
opportunity for all in society. Rawls theory visualizes original position, which means an
impartial view of society to promote justice. Rawl introduces a veil of ignorance where people in
the social world can reside in the original position (Corlett, 2016). However, this is not possible

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in the context of Dharavi as the action to redevelop will act against the principle of equal
distribution of justice.
In the context of distribution of properties, Rober Nozick brings into forefront three ideas
of justice. This involves justice in the area of acquisition, transfer and rectification of injustice.
The last part describes how to restore property to rightful owner in case of injustice in the area of
acquisition and transfer (Sher, 2017). Hence, Nozick’s theory describes justice in distribution
through the fair process of acquisition and transfer. This theory is in contrast with Rawl’s theory
as it justifies distribution on the basis of needs. Nozick’s point of view has an advantage as it
promotes the facts that if acquisition and transfer process is just, people will also reading accept
and move to different distribution. However, this is a daunting task to do full justice to the
residents of Dharavi and give them equal righst during transformation of the property.
This evaluation presented different view point for justice during distribution of property.
While comparing with Nozick and Rawl’s principle, it has been found that a just method of
property transformation in Dharawi can occur by following Nozick’s principle, however
achieving this in reality is doubtful amidst corruption and intense political interest.

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Reference
John, E. O. (2014). A Critique of John Rawls' Social Justice Theory and the Fate of Nigeria's
Politics in the 21st-Century and beyond. JL Pol'y & Globalization, 28, 12.
Sher, G. (2017). Doing Justice to Desert. Oxford Studies in Political Philosophy, 3, 84.
Corlett, J. A. (Ed.). (2016). Equality and liberty: analyzing Rawls and Nozick. Springer.
Slumming It - DocuWiki. (2017). Docuwiki.net. Retrieved 13 August 2017, from
http://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Slumming_It