Studying at York
Justice, Legitimacy & Democracy - POL00005M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module provides an advanced introduction to some of the most significant approaches in contemporary political theory. We will focus in particular on the challenges created by pervasive disagreements, which characterise our societies, about what religion, if any, is true, how individuals should lead their life and what laws should be enacted. Is state neutrality among religious and philosophical doctrines the correct response to pluralism? Should we make sure to always be civil with those we disagree with, or is a more confrontational style of politics necessary to fight entrenched injustice? In a diverse society, should citizens still fight political battles for what they see as the truth? We will approach these and other questions through the work of key contemporary thinkers including John Rawls, Amy Gutmann, Chantal Mouffe and Joseph Raz. Also, we will investigate how these theoretical discussions can illuminate pressing real-world problems, focusing in particular on conspiracy theories, partisan echo chambers and filter bubbles, the right of liberal democratic institutions to defend themselves from domestic illiberal movements, and the disintegration of the EU.
Module learning outcomes
To acquire a thorough grounding in recent contemporary democratic theory. To develop critical and argumentative skills through seminar discussion and analysis of philosophical texts.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
Pass/fail
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
There is no core text for this module, and readings will be provided for each week, but a few relevant books are:
John Rawls, Political Liberalism, expanded edition (New York: Columbia University Press, 2005).
James Bohman and William Rehg (eds.), Deliberative Democracy: Essays on Reason and Politics (Cambridge, MA.: MIT Press, 1998).
Richard Bellamy, Liberalism and Pluralism: Towards a Politics of Compromise (London: Routledge, 1999).
Anthoula Malkopoulou and Alexander Kirshner (eds.), Militant Democracy and Its Critics: Populism, Parties, Extremism (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2019).