What is social justice? In Theories of Justice Brian Barry provides a systematic and detailed analysis of two kinds of answers. One is that justice arises from a sense of the advantage to everyone of having constraints on the pursuit of self-interest. The other answer connects the idea of justice with that of impartiality. Though the first book of a trilogy, Theories of Justice stands alone and constitutes a major contribution to the debate about social justice that began in 1971 with Rawls's A Theory of Justice.

Brian Barry is Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and author of Political Argument, among other titles.

"The cumulative effect of [Barry's] common sense realism, intellectual rigour, modest affirmation and quietly ironic tone make this book a delight to read."—T. D. Campbell, Times Higher Education Supplement

"This book is a state of art presentation of the analysis of distributive justice as well as a critical discussion of this literature. The insights of modern game theory, decision theory as well as moral philosophy and philosophy of science are used to shed light on an important issue. . . . Well worth reading."—Manfred Kraft, Kyklos

"Brian Barry's magisterial Theories of Justice, the first of three projected volumes, takes as his two main examples the theories of justice set out by Rawls and by David Hume. In 400 closely reasoned and often luminous pages he goes a long way towards explaining both the impact of Rawls's book and some of the most puzzling features of its reception."—John Dunn, Times Literary Supplement