A Critical Analysis of Robert Nozick’s Entitlement Theory of Distributive Justice

  ABSTRACT: This article highlights Robert Nozick’s theory of entitlement. This is theory of distributive justice through which he expressed his argument in the defence of property and individual rights. He developed three principles to describe what entitlement theory consists of. The principles are justice in initial acquisition, justice in transfer and rectification of injustices. These principles make the whole process of acquiring and transferring the property to be historical. That is if the property was initially acquired in justice, then the holder assumes an absolute right to the property. This includes the right to own and transfer of properties to whomever one wills. The fact that, one acquired the property in justice limits others from having anything to do with the property unless with the consent of the owner. Nozick emphasizes the question of rectifying historical injustices involved in the process of property acquisition and transfer. Though a number of scholars considered Nozick’s idea of justice in acquisition and rectification as too utopic, but it is important to appreciate the framework he laid to address the problem of injustice in distributive justice.

KEYWORDS: Entitlement theory, distributive justice, Lockean proviso, Property rights, Robert Nozick.