Admission requirements
Admission to (one of) the programme(s) listed under Part of in the information bar on the right.
Description
This year, the specialization course in Philosophy of Law, Governance, and Politics focuses on the philosophy of governance—an increasingly central but often overlooked topic in political and legal thought. Modern liberal democracies rely on complex systems of public administration to design, prepare, and implement a wide array of policies and laws. Far from being a neutral “executive,” public administration plays a key role in shaping political decisions and influencing democratic processes.
In this course, we explore the normative and conceptual foundations of governance. What standards define good governance? What ethical obligations guide civil servants in promoting the public good? How do principles like efficiency, autonomy, and legality interact—or conflict—in democratic institutions? We examine topics such as cost-benefit analysis in policy evaluation, administrative discretion, the rule of law, the tension between paternalism and autonomy, and the friction between bureaucracy and democratic ideals.
The course combines contemporary philosophical approaches with historical perspectives, offering students a broad and critical understanding of governance as a domain situated between and beyond the traditional state powers: legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Course objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Explain key philosophical concepts and frameworks related to governance and public administration.
Identify and critically assess normative standards for good governance in democratic systems.
Analyze the ethical and political roles of civil servants in promoting the public good.
Evaluate the use and limitations of tools such as cost-benefit analysis in policy-making.
Discuss tensions between core principles such as efficiency, legality, autonomy, and democratic accountability.
Interpret and engage with both historical and contemporary philosophical texts on governance.
Construct well-reasoned arguments concerning the philosophical foundations of modern public administration.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar.
Class attendance is required.
Assessment method
Assessment
All participants write at least 5 reading responses (30%)
All participants submit a draft of their final paper to be peer reviewed by others
All participants provide a constructive peer review for two papers (10%)
A final essay of 3000 words (60%)
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of several subtests (see above).
Resit
If the final mark is below sufficient, there is the possibility to re-write the final essay. The new grade will replace the previous one for the final essay and so change the final mark. Only students who do participate in class can ask for rewriting their paper.
Students who have obtained a satisfactory overall grade for cannot ask to re-write their paper.
Inspection and feedback
Everyone will receive written feedback on their presentations and end-of-term paper via e-mail. As for the debate, students will receive their feedback and grade within one week via email. Paper-proposals are discussed in person by appointment. It is always possible to request extra feedback on any (part) of the assignments by making an appointment.
Reading list
To be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar on the right.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga