John Rawls believed that individuals choosing principles of justice from behind the veil of ignorance would select two key principles to govern a fair society. 

The first principle is the principle of equal basic liberties, which guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all individuals. These include freedoms such as speech, religion, and political participation, which must be protected equally for everyone. This principle takes precedence, ensuring that basic rights are not compromised for any other social or economic benefit.

The second principle, known as the difference principle, governs the distribution of social and economic inequalities. According to this principle, inequalities are only acceptable if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. In other words, a just society can tolerate differences in wealth or power, but these disparities must improve the position of those who are worst off. For example, policies that allow for economic inequalities—such as higher salaries for skilled professionals—are justified if they lead to greater resources, opportunities, or services for the most disadvantaged.