Studying at York
Democracy & Emergency - POL00072H
Module summary
Sudden and dramatic crises often face political communities and governments assert (or are criticized for failing to establish) extraordinary powers to deal with emergencies. This module explores the nature and justification of emergency powers in crisis government by democracies, including the history of political thinking about these questions and analysing key normative questions raised by recent and current crises.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module explores the nature and justification of the use of emergency powers by democratic states. In this module, we will examine the concepts of crisis, emergency and exception, in the history of political thought and in contemporary political and legal debate. In particular, we will critically explore three ways in which emergencies have been folded into constitutionalist thought in democracies, namely, republican, liberal, and decisionist. We will then look at the normative and conceptual questions raised for politics by five forms of emergency: terrorism, economic emergency, colonial emergency, climate emergency and pandemic. In exploring these cases, we will address such questions as: who decides when it is appropriate to declare a state of emergency and when normality has returned? In emergencies, can should states be allowed to do things that are normally wrong? Are emergencies ‘moral black holes’ in which the state is licensed to do anything in the name of security or are there constraints (and if so, what constraints are legitimate)? Is there a tension constitutionalism and effective response to emergencies? How should politics be conducted in emergency conditions? Is emergency or crisis a pervasive and continuing feature of contemporary politics, rather than an exceptional occurrence? To what extent are traditional doctrines of emergency powers able to cope with recent and current forms of financial, health and climate emergency?
Module learning outcomes
On completing the module a student will be able to:
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Demonstrate knowledge of central assumptions and key features of traditions of thinking about emergency powers in political and legal theory and the debates among them (PLO 1)
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Apply independently conceptual and theoretical tools for understanding, analysing and using concepts of emergency, exception and crisis (PLO 2)
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Work independently to address problems in politics and/or international relations relating to emergency politics, by working towards solutions through the creative application of specialist theoretical and practical perspectives, and analysis of empirical data (PLO 4)
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Communicate theoretical, normative and empirical arguments about emergency politics effectively and fluently (PLO 5)
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Work independently through taking a reflective and critical approach, demonstrating intercultural awareness, and showing appreciation of differing visions of the public good in light of the values of tolerance, inclusivity and sustainability (PLO 6)
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Apply independently theoretical arguments about emergency politics in dealing with local, national and global challenges (PLO 7)
Module content
Likely structure to include:
1 What is an emergency?
2 Constitutional dictatorships: Roman and neo-roman
3 Legislative and extra-legal powers
4 The state of exception
5 ‘Supreme’ emergency and ‘balance’ of liberty and security
6 Economic emergency
7 Empire and emergency
8 Pandemic
9 Climate emergency
10 Democratic emergencies
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
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.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Tom Sorell, Emergencies and Politics: A Sober Hobbesian Approach (Cambridge University Press 2013)
Nomi Claire Lazar, States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge University Press 2009)
John Ferejohn and Pasquale Pasquino, Emergency Powers, in The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory (Oxford University Press, 2008)
Sylvia Walby, Crisis (Polity Press 2015)
John Reynolds, Empire, Emergency and International Law (Cambridge University Press 2017)
David Stasavage, Democracy, Autocracy and Emergency Threats: Lessons for COVID-19 From the Last Thousand Years, International Organization 74 Supplement, December 2020, E1-E17