authority of democracy

Question 1

general theory

Answer 1

⋅ The democratic process generates authority.
- If a law is made democratically / supported by the majority, then (a) it is permissible for the state
to enforce it, (b) citizens are obligated to obey it.
- Standard qualifications on conceptions of authority.

Question 2

bar tab example

Answer 2

• Example: The group in the bar vote to force one person to pay for everyone else’s drinks.
• Verdict: (a) The one is not obligated to pay for everyone else. (b) The group is not entitled to coerce
  the one person to pay.
• Issue: Does the will of the majority provide political authority?
• Conclusion: Majority will does not suffice for authority.

Question 3

the argument from deliberation

Answer 3

⋅ Ideal democratic deliberation would satisfy these conditions: Everyone has an equal voice, deliberation aims at consensus, outcome determined only by reasons offered, no prior constraints.
⋅ Claim: this sort of deliberation would provide political authority.

Question 4

problems with argument from deliberation

Answer 4

⋅ Problem #1: No society satisfies any of these conditions.
⋅ Problem #2: No reason to think this would generate authority anyway.
- Bar tab example (modified to incorporate ideal deliberation): addition of good deliberation doesn’t erase the individual’s rights over his money.

Question 5

the argument from respect for judgment

Answer 5

1. We should respect each other’s judgments equally.
2. To respect others’ judgments equally, one must obey democratically made laws. 3. Therefore, one should obey democratically made laws.

Question 6

problem with argument from respect for judgement

Answer 6

-Many people in fact have worse judgment than others.
-One is not obligated to treat others as equal in respects in which one knows that they are not anywhere close to equal.
- Forcing other people to obey your will is disrespectful. See Bar Tab example.
- This is much more obvious than the claim that rejecting other people’s judgments is
disrespectful.
- Therefore, the argument for political obligation undermines political legitimacy.
- Need to respect judgment doesn’t erase rights. See Bar Tab example again.

Question 7

the tale of the slave

Answer 7

⋅ Nozick describes series of cases, going from the situation of a typical slave to the typical situation of a citizen of a democratic government.
⋅ Difficult to say when the person stopped being a slave.
- When the master became nicer?
- When the slave got sold to a large group?
- When the slave as allowed to express his opinions of the masters’ policies?
- When the slave was given a tie-breaking vote (that is never actually exercised)? - When the slave is given a normal vote, just like all the others?
(See why none of these is a good answer.)
⋅ Conclusion: being subject to a government is interestingly like being a slave. (?)