Full Idea
All social primary goods - liberty and opportunity, income and wealth, and the bases of self-respect - are to be distributed equally unless an unequal distribution of any or all of these goods is to the advantage of the least favoured.
Gist of Idea
All desirable social features should be equal, unless inequality favours the disadvantaged
Source
John Rawls (A Theory of Justice [1972], §46)
Book Reference
Rawls,John: 'A Theory of Justice' [OUP 1978], p.303
A Reaction
In the wholehearted capitalism of the 21st century this sounds like cloud-cuckoo land. As an 'initial position' (just as in the 'Republic') the clean slate brings out some interesting principles. Actual politics takes vested interests as axiomatic.
Related Idea
Idea 18638 The difference principles says we must subsidise the costs of other people's choices [Kymlicka]