Abstract

In Anarchy, State, and Utopia, Nozick offers a consent based model of government that severely circumscribes the function and extent of the state. Because consent is crucial to Nozick’s theory, I first examine some problems of consent inherent in determining the legitimacy and binding nature of the state. I then consider Nozick’s argument for the emergence and legitimacy of the state, and show that Nozick’s compensation argument either fails to secure the minimal state, or it justifies a state far more extensive than the minimal state.

Presenters

Katherine Cooklin
Professor, Philosophy, Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Literary Humanities

KEYWORDS

Political Philosophy, State Legitimacy, Consent, Justifying the State

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