The masses and the elites: Political philosophy for the age of Brexit, Trump and Netanyahu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Recent political developments leave liberal elites heartbroken. Why is it that the masses keep making poor, morally unacceptable, irrational choices? Among the many voices heard in this context, there are also those criticising those elites from the left. The elites, these voices imply, are guilty not just of past wrongs that have gotten us here, but also of patronising the masses right now, arrogantly failing to take seriously the masses and their concerns. I argue that such complaints - perhaps appearances to the contrary notwithstanding - are every bit as patronising in their attitudes towards the masses they claim to respect, and proceed to discuss the question whether the elites should reason with the masses, or manage them (spoiler alert: both). This practical discussion leads to more theoretical ones about justification and excuse in the public sphere, practical and epistemic reasons for belief, and ideal and non-ideal theory in political philosophy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-22
Number of pages22
JournalJurisprudence
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Brexit
  • Ideal and non-ideal theory
  • Political philosophy
  • Trump

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The masses and the elites: Political philosophy for the age of Brexit, Trump and Netanyahu'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this