In addition to protecting individual rights, the two principles of justice determine economic arrangements and institutions based on a doctrine of political economy. Rawls writes that “[…] political economy must include an interpretation of the public good which is based on a conception of justice” (229). A theory of justice defines a varied class of goods normally wanted in rational plans of life, but within this varied class of goods allows a person choice in their specific ends. While justice as fairness contains individualistic features, its two principles are not contingent on present desires or social conditions. This just, basic structure is a standard in appraising institutions and guiding social change.

Rawls writes that the public sector has two aspects: ownership of the means of production and the distinction between socialism and a private-property economy, and “the proportion of total resources devoted to public goods” (235).

The existence of a strong and respected state is crucial in addressing this issue. Public goods also carry issues of externality: “[w]hen goods are public and indivisible, their production will cause benefits and losses to others which may not be taken into account by those who arrange for these goods or who decide to produce them” (237).