Webpages tagged with «normative political theory»

How can we decide if a political order is a state or not? This paper discusses the ontological quality of the state and what follows from that to its analysis.

ARENA Working Paper 11/2011 (pdf)

Daniel Gaus

What has been the impact of John Rawls’s work in the Nordic countries? This paper argues that in spite of difficult preconditions, the normative contract theory of Rawls has influenced the shape of government and welfare regimes. It is suggested that the relevance and impact of Rawlsian theory to the Nordic countries will increase with the process of Europeanisation.

ARENA Working Paper 15/2002 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

Which way ahead for the EU? This article addresses some pivotal questions concerning the future of the European Union, with Joschka Fischer's Humboldt speech as point of departure.

ARENA Working Paper 19/2000 (html)

Agustín José Menéndez

Is there an inherent contradiction between national patriotism and liberalism in the cosmopolitan sense of the word? The question is addressed in this paper, which makes the argument - in line with contract theory - that political allegiance result from a sense of duty and loyalty to a state.

ARENA Working Paper 16/2000 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

This paper puts the ambitious concept of Union citizenship under scrutiny; it is argued that far from being a panacea for popular compliance, 'citizenship' requires mutual commitments and a common understanding of what the Union project should imply. If fulfilment of constitutional criteria is not achieved, the concept of 'citizenship' may in fact be counter-productive.

ARENA Working Paper 09/2001 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

This paper addresses the following paradox in Jon Elsters' writings: If it is only public reasons that can justify outcomes, how can private desires be the causes of the same outcomes?

ARENA Working Paper 12/2009 (pdf)

Erik O. Eriksen

The purpose of this article is to heighten our understanding of the nature of the EU's social constituency. This article develops a conceptual-methodological framework that will help us to identify the EU's social constituency and spell out its specific traits.

ARENA Working Paper 16/2004 (pdf)

John Erik Fossum

This article discusses whether deliberation and decision-making on the constitutional norms of the EU can contribute to render it more democratic. Observing the procedural changes to constitution-making introduced with Laeken (notably the Convention), it is argued in the paper that such changes have made some progress towards rectifying the Union's legitimacy deficit.

ARENA Working Paper 13/2005 (pdf)

John Erik Fossum & Agustín José Menéndez

The paper discusses the extent and legitimacy of EU tax power, taking as its starting point the juridical basis of taxes as well as the putative development of the EU as a rights-based polity.

ARENA Working Paper 07/2005 (pdf)

Agustín José Menéndez

This paper offers some normative considerations over how to organise legitimate and good government in the European Union, taking into account individual political rights as well as national equilibria.

ARENA Working Paper 10/1998 (html)

Knut Midgaard

This paper elevates liberal contract theory to the international scene, where it is found that inter-state inequalities are not illegitimate per se. However, while Rawlsian theory may not be applicabel to the world setting, it is nevertheless more consistent than what is often assumed.

ARENA Working Paper 08/1998 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

How can the inherent tensions between supposedly universal rights and cultural relativism be resolved? This paper takes this question to a concrete evaluation of two policy documents: (i) an UNESCO report and (ii) the Bangkok Declaration, both dealing with Asian, Westen and 'universal' values.

ARENA Working Paper 20/1999 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

This paper explores the grounds for claims of compensation based on past injustice, with particular attention to indigenous minorities.

ARENA Working Paper 07/1998 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal

This paper discusses competing principles of vote distribution in the EU Council within a framework of normative political theory.

ARENA Working Paper 25/1999 (html)

Knut Midgaard

This paper discusses the marketisation of political citizenship towards client or customer roles. It is argued that while this is a logical effect of an increasingly complex public agenda, it also poses dangers for a conception of politics as endeavours for the collective good.

ARENA Working Paper 26/1999 (html)

Erik Oddvar Eriksen and Jarle Weigård

This paper discusses the social and political rights of third-country nationals in EU countries. Whereas the European Citizenship clause introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty excludes this group, this arguably violates basic democratic rights of participation.

ARENA Working Paper 9/1998 (html)

Andreas Føllesdal