Justice by Means of Democracy

GOV 1041 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course examines how theories of justice and freedom shape societies' diagnoses of social and economic problems and generate institutional and policy choices under real-world constraints. Beginning with questions about values, paradigms, and explanation, the course moves through competing diagnoses of contemporary political, economic, and social crisis—including the dominant Rawlsian framework that has guided much U.S. and global policy-making—and develops a working hypothesis for their source and remedy. That hypothesis focuses on democratic power-sharing and institutional capacity, offering an alternative theory of justice that places greater emphasis on democracy and inclusive empowerment. Students engage classical and contemporary political thinkers, analyze policy failures and alternatives across concrete domains such as housing, jobs and the economy, education, and climate, and ultimately confront the challenge of making and justifying consequential decisions. The course highlights the tight connection between underlying philosophical and ethical frameworks and policy-making methodologies, emphasizing judgment, responsibility, and policy choice under conditions of disagreement, scarcity, and power—asking not only what justice requires in theory, but what democratic actors owe one another when decisions impose real costs.  This course is capped at 60, and petitions are approved on a first come, first served basis. In addition, one Mindich Engaged Scholarship section is offered as part of this course. Students can apply for that section during the first week of the semester.