Habermas and Group Rights

20 Pages Posted: 22 Feb 2011 Last revised: 3 Mar 2011

See all articles by David B. Ingram

David B. Ingram

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Abstract

I focus on the recent attempt by Habermas to provide a formal criterion for testing the legitimacy of group rights. Habermas argues that group-rights are legitimate only when they protect groups from discrimination by other groups. Group rights that aim to preserve groups against their own members, by contrast, are illegitimate. In my opinion, this way of drawing the distinction overlooks the link between anti-discrimination and preservation. Furthermore, I argue that preservation of a group identity can be legitimate so long as the group in question allows freedom of exit from the group.

Suggested Citation

Ingram, David B., Habermas and Group Rights. Western Political Science Association 2011 Annual Meeting Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1766982

David B. Ingram (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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