Vol 2 No 1 (2024)
Articles
The Interplay of Morality, Law, and Democratic Legitimacy in Habermas’s Political Philosophy
Keywords
- Discourse Ethics,
- Deliberative Democracy,
- Legitimacy of Law,
- Moral and Legal Norms
How to Cite
Odok, J., & Berebon, C. (1). The Interplay of Morality, Law, and Democratic Legitimacy in Habermas’s Political Philosophy. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 49-63. Retrieved from http://103.133.36.82/index.php/alpamet/article/view/749
Abstract
This paper explores Jürgen Habermas’s discourse on the relationship between morality, law, and democratic legitimacy within modern societies. Habermas critiques Kantian and Rawlsian moral theories, advocating for a "dialogical" framework of practical reason. His work underscores the limitations of morality as a cohesive force in culturally diverse societies, and he proposes law, backed by political institutions, as a necessary complement to morality. In Between Facts and Norms, Habermas articulates the dual nature of law as both a fact and a norm, stressing that its legitimacy depends on rational discourse and public participation. This legitimacy rests on his discourse ethics, which integrates deliberative democracy with the legal system, emphasizing the democratic process as crucial for maintaining both private and public autonomy. The study sheds light on Habermas's nuanced approach to law as an instrument for social integration while affirming the role of morality in shaping democratic institutions
References
Baxter, H. (2011). Habermas: the discourse theory of law and democracy. Stanford University Press.
Baynes, K. (2015). Habermas. Routledge.
Bohman, J. (1994). Complexity, pluralism, and the constitutional state: On Habermas's Faktizität und Geltung. Law & Society Review, 28(4), 897-930.
Brennan, G., & Hamlin, A. (2000). Democratic devices and desires. Cambridge University Press.
Cavalier, R., & Ess, C. (2006). Introduction to Habermas's Discourse Ethics. Retrieved December, 29, 2009.
Chernilo, D. (2013). The natural law foundations of modern social theory: A quest for universalism. Cambridge University Press.
Edet, J. E., Ugbe, R. O., Nabiebu, M., Alobo, E. E., & Ijiomah, A. O. (2024). From Sovereign Immunity to Constitutional Immunity in Nigeria: Reappraising the Gains and Pitfalls. Migration Letters, 21(S2), 615-625.
Edgar, A. (2014). The philosophy of Habermas. Routledge.
Erman, E. (2018). The political legitimacy of global governance and the proper role of civil society actors. Res publica, 24(1), 133-155.
Godfrey, T. U., Uwa, K. L., & Akpan, A. (2024). Personality Traits and Academic Performance of Students in Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 12(1), 21-37.
Habermas, J. (2008). Between naturalism and religion: Philosophical essays. Polity.
Habermas, J. (2022). Reflections and hypotheses on a further structural transformation of the political public sphere. Theory, Culture & Society, 39(4), 145-171.
Hendriks, C. M. (2006). Integrated deliberation: Reconciling civil society's dual role in deliberative democracy. Political studies, 54(3), 486-508.
Honig, B. (2023). Political theory and the displacement of politics. Cornell University Press.
Honneth, A., & Joas, H. (Eds.). (1991). Communicative action: essays on Jürgen Habermas's The theory of communicative action. MIT Press.
Khan, G. (2013). Critical republicanism: Jürgen Habermas and Chantal Mouffe. Contemporary Political Theory, 12, 318-337.
Melucci, A., & Avritzer, L. (2000). Complexity, cultural pluralism and democracy: collective action in the public space. Social Science Information, 39(4), 507-527.
Moka-Mubelo, W., & Moka-Mubelo, W. (2017). Habermas’s Account of Human Rights in Between Facts and Norms. Reconciling Law and Morality in Human Rights Discourse: Beyond the Habermasian Account of Human Rights, 15-50.
Munro, D. (2020). Norms, motives and radical democracy: Habermas and the problem of motivation. In Habermas and Law (pp. 149-174). Routledge.
Neumann, F. (1996). The change in the function of law in modern society. The Rule of Law under Siege: Selected Essays of Franz L. Neumann and Otto Kirchheimer, 101-141.
Nyarks, A. (2006). Varieties of Anaang language. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Uyo.
Nyarks, A. (2012). English Mirror. Use of English and Communication Skills. Uyo: Noble Publishers & Associates.
Nyarks, A., & Campus, O. A. (2022). The Linguistic Evaluation of Anaang Syllable Structures. International Journal of Formal Education, 1(8), 1-15.
Nyarks, D. A. (2022, August). Affixation: A linguistic strategy for language development, a case study of Anaang language. In "ONLINE-CONFERENCES" PLATFORM (pp. 140-149).
Okide, U. (2020). An Analysis of Authors’ Viewpoints on Interfemale Hostility in Selected Igbo Novels. Kenneth Dike Journal of African Studies (KDJAS), 1(1).
Okide, U. (2021). Perspectives on Cultural and National Development as Reflected in Two Igbo Poems. Lagos Notes and Records, 27(1), 96-113.
Okide, U. J. (2019). Inter-Female Hostility as a Cultural Behavior in Freud’s Theory of Aggression. Culture, Precepts, and Social Change in Southeastern Nigeria: Understanding the Igbo, 113.
Okide, U. J. (2021). Perception and Artistic Presentation of the Phenomenon of Death among Igbo Poets. Sapientia, 3(2), 245-263.
Okide, U. J. (2022). CHILD ABUSE IN THE IGBO FAMILY: AN ANALYSIS OF OSUAGWU’ S NWA NGWII PUO EZE. Nigerian Journal of African Studies (NJAS), 4(1).
Okide, U. J. (2023). Cultural Views of Wealth in Traditional and Contemporary Igbo Society: Perspectives from Maduekwe’ s †œEgo na-ekwuâ€. Nigerian Journal of African Studies (NJAS), 5(2).
Oquendo, A. R. (2002). Deliberative democracy in Habermas and Nino. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 22(2), 189-226.
Owa, O. E., Miebaka, N., Odey, S. A., Ugbe, R. O., & Alobo, E. E. (2024). Impact of the 2014 Pension Reform Act on Workers’ Commitment, Retention and Attitude to Retirement in Cross River State, Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 293-301.
Pietrzak, E. B. (2024). Civil Society: Ideas, Interpretations, Transgressions. Taylor & Francis.
Rawls, J. (1995). Political liberalism: reply to Habermas. The journal of philosophy, 92(3), 132-180.
Rehg, W. (2023). Insight and solidarity: The discourse ethics of Jürgen Habermas (Vol. 1). Univ of California Press.
Somers, M. R. (1995). Narrating and naturalizing civil society and citizenship theory: The place of political culture and the public sphere. Sociological theory, 229-274.
Tully, J. (2017). To think and act differently: Foucault’s four reciprocal objections to Habermas’ theory. In Michel Foucault (pp. 193-245). Routledge.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Uloma, O. V., Mbonu, C. N., Onuorah, A. C., Mbarah, G. O., Anyacho, E. O., Orji, M. B., ... & Eucharia, O. E. (2019). Culture, Precepts, and Social Change in Southeastern Nigeria: Understanding the Igbo. Rowman & Littlefield.
Baynes, K. (2015). Habermas. Routledge.
Bohman, J. (1994). Complexity, pluralism, and the constitutional state: On Habermas's Faktizität und Geltung. Law & Society Review, 28(4), 897-930.
Brennan, G., & Hamlin, A. (2000). Democratic devices and desires. Cambridge University Press.
Cavalier, R., & Ess, C. (2006). Introduction to Habermas's Discourse Ethics. Retrieved December, 29, 2009.
Chernilo, D. (2013). The natural law foundations of modern social theory: A quest for universalism. Cambridge University Press.
Edet, J. E., Ugbe, R. O., Nabiebu, M., Alobo, E. E., & Ijiomah, A. O. (2024). From Sovereign Immunity to Constitutional Immunity in Nigeria: Reappraising the Gains and Pitfalls. Migration Letters, 21(S2), 615-625.
Edgar, A. (2014). The philosophy of Habermas. Routledge.
Erman, E. (2018). The political legitimacy of global governance and the proper role of civil society actors. Res publica, 24(1), 133-155.
Godfrey, T. U., Uwa, K. L., & Akpan, A. (2024). Personality Traits and Academic Performance of Students in Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 12(1), 21-37.
Habermas, J. (2008). Between naturalism and religion: Philosophical essays. Polity.
Habermas, J. (2022). Reflections and hypotheses on a further structural transformation of the political public sphere. Theory, Culture & Society, 39(4), 145-171.
Hendriks, C. M. (2006). Integrated deliberation: Reconciling civil society's dual role in deliberative democracy. Political studies, 54(3), 486-508.
Honig, B. (2023). Political theory and the displacement of politics. Cornell University Press.
Honneth, A., & Joas, H. (Eds.). (1991). Communicative action: essays on Jürgen Habermas's The theory of communicative action. MIT Press.
Khan, G. (2013). Critical republicanism: Jürgen Habermas and Chantal Mouffe. Contemporary Political Theory, 12, 318-337.
Melucci, A., & Avritzer, L. (2000). Complexity, cultural pluralism and democracy: collective action in the public space. Social Science Information, 39(4), 507-527.
Moka-Mubelo, W., & Moka-Mubelo, W. (2017). Habermas’s Account of Human Rights in Between Facts and Norms. Reconciling Law and Morality in Human Rights Discourse: Beyond the Habermasian Account of Human Rights, 15-50.
Munro, D. (2020). Norms, motives and radical democracy: Habermas and the problem of motivation. In Habermas and Law (pp. 149-174). Routledge.
Neumann, F. (1996). The change in the function of law in modern society. The Rule of Law under Siege: Selected Essays of Franz L. Neumann and Otto Kirchheimer, 101-141.
Nyarks, A. (2006). Varieties of Anaang language. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Uyo.
Nyarks, A. (2012). English Mirror. Use of English and Communication Skills. Uyo: Noble Publishers & Associates.
Nyarks, A., & Campus, O. A. (2022). The Linguistic Evaluation of Anaang Syllable Structures. International Journal of Formal Education, 1(8), 1-15.
Nyarks, D. A. (2022, August). Affixation: A linguistic strategy for language development, a case study of Anaang language. In "ONLINE-CONFERENCES" PLATFORM (pp. 140-149).
Okide, U. (2020). An Analysis of Authors’ Viewpoints on Interfemale Hostility in Selected Igbo Novels. Kenneth Dike Journal of African Studies (KDJAS), 1(1).
Okide, U. (2021). Perspectives on Cultural and National Development as Reflected in Two Igbo Poems. Lagos Notes and Records, 27(1), 96-113.
Okide, U. J. (2019). Inter-Female Hostility as a Cultural Behavior in Freud’s Theory of Aggression. Culture, Precepts, and Social Change in Southeastern Nigeria: Understanding the Igbo, 113.
Okide, U. J. (2021). Perception and Artistic Presentation of the Phenomenon of Death among Igbo Poets. Sapientia, 3(2), 245-263.
Okide, U. J. (2022). CHILD ABUSE IN THE IGBO FAMILY: AN ANALYSIS OF OSUAGWU’ S NWA NGWII PUO EZE. Nigerian Journal of African Studies (NJAS), 4(1).
Okide, U. J. (2023). Cultural Views of Wealth in Traditional and Contemporary Igbo Society: Perspectives from Maduekwe’ s †œEgo na-ekwuâ€. Nigerian Journal of African Studies (NJAS), 5(2).
Oquendo, A. R. (2002). Deliberative democracy in Habermas and Nino. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 22(2), 189-226.
Owa, O. E., Miebaka, N., Odey, S. A., Ugbe, R. O., & Alobo, E. E. (2024). Impact of the 2014 Pension Reform Act on Workers’ Commitment, Retention and Attitude to Retirement in Cross River State, Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 293-301.
Pietrzak, E. B. (2024). Civil Society: Ideas, Interpretations, Transgressions. Taylor & Francis.
Rawls, J. (1995). Political liberalism: reply to Habermas. The journal of philosophy, 92(3), 132-180.
Rehg, W. (2023). Insight and solidarity: The discourse ethics of Jürgen Habermas (Vol. 1). Univ of California Press.
Somers, M. R. (1995). Narrating and naturalizing civil society and citizenship theory: The place of political culture and the public sphere. Sociological theory, 229-274.
Tully, J. (2017). To think and act differently: Foucault’s four reciprocal objections to Habermas’ theory. In Michel Foucault (pp. 193-245). Routledge.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Uloma, O. V., Mbonu, C. N., Onuorah, A. C., Mbarah, G. O., Anyacho, E. O., Orji, M. B., ... & Eucharia, O. E. (2019). Culture, Precepts, and Social Change in Southeastern Nigeria: Understanding the Igbo. Rowman & Littlefield.