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Full Idea
Liberty in the modern procedural republic is defined in opposition to democracy, as an individual's guarantee against what the majority might will.
Gist of Idea
Modern liberal rights in democracies protect individuals against the majority
Source
Michael J. Sandel (Procedural republic and unencumbered self [1984], 'Present')
Book Ref
Sandel,Michael J.: 'Public Philosophy: Essays' [Harvard 2005], p.171
A Reaction
And so I should hope. Sandel is sort of criticising this view, but it seems obvious that rights of this sort must be basic to any civilised democracy. But how do you decide those rights, if not by a majoritarian decision?
| 22805 | Liberalism concerns rights, and communitarianism concerns the common good [Sandel, by Avineri/De-Shalit] |
| 22262 | Kant's moral law has no foundation - because that would undermine its priority [Sandel] |
| 22264 | Modern liberal rights in democracies protect individuals against the majority [Sandel] |
| 22261 | Liberals say rights always come first, and justice is neutral on social values [Sandel] |
| 22263 | Liberal justice means the withdrawal of the self, as transcendental or as unencumbered [Sandel] |