Description
Book SynopsisIn recent years, political theorists have increasingly focused on the question of legitimacy rather than on justice. The question of legitimacy asks: even if legal coercion falls short of being perfectly just, what nonetheless makes it morally legitimate? Yet legitimacy remains poorly understood. According to the regnant theory of justificatory liberalism, legitimate legal coercion is based on reasons all reasonable persons can accept and is conceived in terms of a hypothetical procedure. Philip Shadd argues that this view would effectively de-legitimize all laws given its requirement of unanimity; it wrongly suggests that basic rights are outcomes of political procedures rather than checks on such procedures; and it is paternalistic as it substitutes hypothetical persons for actual persons.Where should theorists turn? Shadd''s perhaps surprising proposal is that they turn to neo-Calvinism. Founded by the Dutch politician, theologian, and social theorist, Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), ne
Trade ReviewShadd’s mapping, nuanced definitions, forensic clarification, helpful use of acronyms, fine distinctions, and explication of views he disagrees with makes the volume a model of what one expects from careful philosophical work. Also felicitous is Shadd’s sections at the end of chapters wherein he answers possible objections to his view. Such self-critical reflection strengthens Shadd’s argument. More specifically, Shadd’s proficiency in neo-Calvinist social thought by which he identifies distinctions between neo-Calvinist theorists is impressive.... By focusing the discussion around legitimacy, Shadd has not only brought new insights and deepened the debate, he has done so by exposing how a less known tradition of Christian social thought presents a substantial challenge to the dominant theory of legitimacy. * Journal of Church and State *
This book works on many levels. It provides a brilliant critique of justificatory liberalism, exposing its many flaws, and it illustrates the rich resources of the neo-Calvinist perspective for politics. It provides a great example of how to debate with political theories from a Christian perspective. I hope it will be widely read and not just by neo-Calvinists. * An Accidental Blog *
This excellent, clearly-written book breaks important new ground in debates over the contested concept of political legitimacy. Forensically exposing serious philosophical deficiencies in the dominant ‘justificatory liberal’ account of legitimacy, this book creatively mines a novel and unexpected source – neo-Calvinist political thought – for fresh resources to reframe and reconstruct legitimacy more in accord with our widely-held intuitions about natural justice. In doing so he helps repair the fragile intellectual foundations of our liberal political orders and sheds new light on the very point of democratic consent. Philip Shadd is an important new contributor to the much-needed dialog between mainstream political philosophy and Christian political theology. -- Jonathan Chaplin, Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics
According to public reason liberalism, the exercise of political power must be acceptable to the full range of reasonable religious and philosophical doctrines that exist in a modern democracy. Phil Shad argues that the practical implications of this view are deeply at odds with common sense moral commitments. He offers an intriguing neo-Calvinist alternative, according to which legitimacy depends not on unanimous acceptability but on preventing basic wrongs. The result is a powerful challenge to today's dominant form of liberal theory. -- Andrew Lister, Queen’s University
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Part I - JL Legitimacy Chapter 2: Clarifying the Question and Surveying the JL Answer Chapter 3: A First Unacceptable Consequence of JL Chapter 4: A Second Unacceptable Consequence of JL Chapter 5: A Third Worry about JL Part II - The Neo-Calvinist Alternative Chapter 6: An Outline of Neo-Calvinist Thought Chapter 7: A Neo-Calvinist Theory of Legitimacy Part III - JL and Neo-Calvinist Legitimacy in Dialogue Chapter 8: Is Consent Needed to Justify Coercion? Chapter 9: The Human Flourishing Tie Chapter 10: How to Steer Clear of Paternalism Chapter 11: Conclusion
