A Society of Peoples: The Nature and Limits of Rawls's International Vision

In this paper I first set out the context and point of departure for Rawls's discussion of international relations in The Law of Peoples. I then examine the nature and limits of the vision he sets out in The Law of Peoples, drawing attention to features easily overlooked if one reads the book without its context and point of departure clearly in view. I conclude that while incomplete in important ways, the vision is quite powerful and merits close attention.