JUSTIÇA, COMUNICAÇÃO POLÍTICA E DESINFORMAÇÃO: Os princípios de John Rawls diante dos problemas sociais contemporâneos

Abstract

This dissertation arises from concern about the impacts that disinformation and political manipulation have produced on democratic life. By revisiting John Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness, it seeks a pathway to reflect on how values such as freedom, equality, and impartiality can shed light on contemporary dilemmas. In the first chapter, the central concepts of Rawls are presented, such as the original position and the veil of ignorance, which function as metaphors to ensure that social rules are designed in a fair manner. From these, the principles of equal liberty and difference are highlighted, guiding the construction of institutions capable of respecting fundamental rights while also correcting inequalities. The second chapter delves into the digital landscape, where distorted narratives, segmentation algorithms, and information bubbles undermine public trust. Disinformation, understood not only as a communicational failure but as an ethical and political phenomenon, proves responsible for deepening social divisions, fostering denialism, and weakening democratic dialogue. Drawing on contemporary authors, the text shows how the struggle over truth has become one of the greatest challenges for democracy today. In the third chapter, the reflection turns to proposals for confronting these issues. Rebuilding the public sphere, defining ethical limits for digital expression, pursuing algorithmic justice, and promoting critical education emerge as possible paths. The dialogue with Rawls highlights that a just society depends on autonomous citizens, transparent institutions, and a political culture committed to fairness. Thus, the work aims to contribute to thinking about democracy in the post-truth era, suggesting that philosophy can offer not only diagnoses, but also horizons of hope for a more just and informed citizenship.