Legitimating Pandemic-Responsive Policy: Whose Voices Count When?

Citation

Cruft R (2021) Legitimating Pandemic-Responsive Policy: Whose Voices Count When?. In: Niker F & Bhattacharya A (eds.) Political Philosophy in a Pandemic: Routes to a More Just Future. London: Bloomsbury Academic, pp. 109-122. https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/political-philosophy-in-a-pandemic-routes-to-a-more-just-future/

Abstract
A democratic principle holds that, other things being equal, public support for a policy can contribute to the legitimation of that policy’s imposition. This chapter focuses on some cases in which ‘other things’ are not ‘equal’: cases in which the attitude to others’ choice or the attitude to others’ suffering demonstrated by a person’s or group’s support for a policy undermines the legitimating force of their support. I focus on the implications for the imposition or lifting of lockdowns.

Keywords
Pandemic; Legitimacy; Democracy; Rights

People

Professor Rowan Cruft

Professor, Philosophy