Equality, Justice, Citizenship (6PIRS007W.

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Lecture: Asynchronous; Pre-recorded and stored in Panopto;
Seminar: Wednesday 11-1pm
Module Leader: Dr Paulina Tambakaki
Email: tambakp@westminster.ac.uk
Virtual Office: Paulina Tambakaki’s Office

Support Hours: Tuesday 2.30-3.30 and Wednesday 4-5pm

Module Summary
The module introduces students to contemporary debates in political theory. It
focuses on justice, equality and citizenship – three key concepts of current
theorising – and it traces their intellectual trajectory. At the same time, the
module explores the application of the concepts (in the domestic, local and
international realms); and it assesses their continuing relevance.

Module Aims
 Introduce the students to debates in contemporary democratic theory.
 Probe the key issues and challenges confronting democratic politics today.
 Examine how struggles for equality, justice and citizenship challenge
established theories.
 Establish links between theoretical approaches and pressing contemporary
issues such as the rise in economic inequalities, structural racism, growth
in (global) injustices and declining trust in democratic institutions.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
 Demonstrate a good understanding of contemporary debates surrounding
justice, equality and citizenship.
 Critically evaluate the application of the three concepts in domestic and
international politics.
 Critically assess their relevance to political discourse.
 Engage with the work of key C20th and C21st political theorists.
 Draw on a range of theoretical approaches to discuss current affairs.

Learning Methods
The module will be taught through a combination of learning experiences,
including regular lectures and seminars. In addition, students will be required
to participate in three film discussions linked to the module. Students are
expected to prepare comprehensively for seminars and to participate as best
they can.

Weekly Lecture Programme

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Week 1 23 September Introduction: Equality,
Justice, Citizenship

Equality

Week 2 30 September Mapping Equality

Week 3 7 October Equality and Difference

Week 4 14 October Inequality

Week 5 21 October Film Screening &

Discussion

Week 6 28 October Feedback Week

Student Engagement Week Please see p.6

Justice

Week 7 4 November Mapping Justice

Week 8 11 November Rights and Struggles for

Justice

Week 9 18 November Film Screening &

Discussion

Citizenship

Week 10 25 November Mapping Citizenship

Week 11 2 December Noncitizenship

Week 12 9 December Film Screening &

Student Engagement Week Discussion

Seminar Programme:
Equality (Week 2 to Week 4)
Week 2: 30 September

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Seminar Question:
Is the pursuit of equality a politically viable goal?
 What kind of equality are we talking about?
 What does ‘politically viable’ mean?
 Consider the context of liberal democracy
 Can we measure equality? And if yes how?
Key Readings:
Dahl, R. (2006) On Political Equality. Yale University Press, pp.50-76 (this is
chapter 5 ‘Political Equality, Human Nature and Society’).
Dworkin, R. (1981) ‘What is Equality? Part 1: Equality of Welfare’, Philosophy
and Public Affairs 10(3):185-246.
Dworkin, R. (1981) ‘What is Equality? Part 2: Equality of Resources’,
Philosophy and Public Affairs 10(4): 283-345.

Week 3: 7 October
Seminar Question:
Does respect for difference undermine respect for equality?
 Specify the kind of differences you will focus your discussion on
 How do these differences translate into group politics?
 Does a focus on groups challenge conventional accounts of equality?
 Is it possible to secure equality and recognize group differences? If
yes, how?
Key Readings:
Young, IM. (2001) ‘Equality of Whom? Social Groups and Judgments of
Injustice, Journal of Political Philosophy 9(1): pp.1-18.
Frankfurt, H. (1997) ‘Equality and Respect’, Social Research 64(1):1-15.
Connolly, W. (1991) ‘Confessing Identity/Belonging to Difference’, in
Identity/Difference: Democratic Negotiations of Political Paradox (expanded
edition). University of Minnesota Press, pp.xiii-xxx
Benhabib, S. (2002)The Claims of Culture: Equality and Diversity in the
Global Era. Princeton University Press (please read chapter 3 ‘From
Redistribution to Recognition?’).
Waldron, J. (2017) One Another’s Equals. Harvard University Press (please
read chapter ‘More than Merely Equal Consideration?’).

Week 4: 14 October
Seminar Question:
Is inequality a permanent feature of politics, or can it be eliminated?
 Map out the different aspects and consequences of inequality
 Can inequalities be addressed and, if yes, how?
Key Readings:
Green, J.E. (2016) “Liberalism and the Problem of Plutocracy”, Constellations
23(1):84-95.
Frankfurt, H.G (2015) On Inequality. Princeton University Press (please read
chapter 1 ‘Economic Equality as a Moral Ideal’).
Brown, W. (2015) Undoing the Demos. Zone Books (please read the following
pages: 9-45; 175-210).
Cornelissen, L. (2020) “Neoliberalism and the Racialized Critique of
Democracy”, Constellations Online First.

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Justice (Week 7 to Week 9)
Week 7: 4 November
Seminar Question:
Critically evaluate Rawls’s account of justice as fairness.
 What does Rawls understand by justice (what are his two principles of
justice)?
 How will citizens arrive at these two principles of justice?
 Is Rawls’s recourse to ideal theory convincing?
Key Readings:
Rawls, J. (1958) ‘Justice as Fairness’, The Philosophical Review 67(2):164-
194.
Rawls, J. (1971) A Theory Of Justice. Harvard University Press; please read
chapter 2 ‘The Principles of Justice’ and chapter 3 ‘The Original Position’.
Fraser, N. (2005) Reframing Justice in a Globalizing World, New Left Review
36, pp. 69-88.
Nagel, T. (2005) The Problem of Global Justice, Philosophy and Public
Affairs,
33(2): 113-147.

Week 8: 11 November
Seminar Question:
Are rights sufficient vehicles for justice?
 Struggles for justice and types of rights
 What are the strengths and limits of rights as vehicles for justice?
 Are there other ways to realise justice?
Key Readings:
Tully, J. (1995) Strange Multiplicity: Constitutionalism in an Age of Diversity
(please read chapter 1 ‘Demands for Constitutional Recognition’).
Brown, W. (1995) States of Injury. Princeton University Press (please read
chapters 1, 3 and 5).
Murdock, E. (2018) “Storied with Land: Transitional Justice on Indigenous
Lands”, Journal of Global Ethics 14(2): 232-239.

Citizenship (Week 10 to Week 11)

Week 10: 25 November
Seminar Question:
Critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the concept (and practice)
of citizenship.
 Examine the liberal and republican approaches to citizenship.
 Is citizenship an empowering identity?
Key Readings:
Miller, D. (1995) Citizenship and Pluralism, Political Studies XLIII, pp. 432-
450.
Tully, J. (2014) On Global Citizenship. James Tully in Dialogue. Bloomsburry
Academic (please read section 2 ‘Diverse Citizenship’, pp.33-84).
Mignolo, W. (2000) “The Many Faces of Cosmo-polis: Border Thinking and
Critical Cosmopolitanism”, Public Culture 12(3):721-748.

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 Rosanvallon, P. (2008) Counter Democracy: Politics In an Age of Mistrust.
Cambridge University Press (please read part 3 ‘The People as Judge’).

Week 11: 2 December

Seminar Question:
Is noncitizenship a useful analytical category?
 What do you understand by noncitizenship? Here you might want to
focus on a particular set of claims.
 Reflect on the term ‘analytical category’.
 Justify your answer to the question.
Key Readings:
Tonkiss, K. and Bloom, T. (eds) (2016) Theorising NonCitizenship,
Citizenship Studies 19(8), Special Issue.
Lister, R. (2007) Inclusive Citizenship: Realizing the Potential, Citizenship
Studies 11(1): 49-61.
Plotke, D. (2014) The Rights of Noncitizens, Politics and Society (Special
Isssue).

Film Screenings in week 5 (21/10); week 9 (18/11); and week 12 (9/12)

The aim of the screenings is to explore further dimensions of the topics
covered in the module. Please note that after each screening there will be
group discussion. The aim of the discussion will be to explore the themes
relevant to the section of the module and to the coursework in particular.
All screenings will take place online and the film to be screened will be
announced on Blackboard.

Assessment
The assessment for the module consists of a student portfolio.
This must be no longer than 4000 words, inclusive of references and
bibliography.
The due date for the portfolio is 1pm Thursday 17th of December 2020.
Feedback will be received by Thursday 21st of January 2021.

How to Prepare Your Portfolio

The portfolio must be divided into 3 sections: one on equality; one on justice
and one on citizenship;
Each section must be no longer than 1,200 words.
Each section must be structured as follows:
1) 600 words critical analysis of a core reading/concept chosen from the
list below
2) 600 words film discussion
Topics for Your Portfolio:

Equality Justice Citizenship

Please choose one of the following Please choose one of the following Please choose one of the following
themes as frame for discussion: themes as frame for your discussion: themes as frame for your discussion:
 Is Dahl right to suggest that  Critically evaluate Rawls’s  What are the strengths and
the pursuit of equality is a account of justice as fairness. weaknesses of liberal
viable goal?  Is justice a necessary good in accounts of citizenship?
 Is equality the bedrock a democracy?  Should everyone be made a
norm of democracy?  What constitutes an injustice? citizen?
 How can advances in Discuss - with reference to a  Critically discuss the
equality be achieved and particular case analytical category of
preserved?  What does a just society look
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noncitizenship. Use
 What forms does inequality like? examples to substantiate
take in contemporary  Construct your own frame your discussion.
You Need to Know
There are two formative assessment points that you might want to take
advantage of:
One is in week 6, the other in week 9. In both occasions you have the
opportunity to email me your 1,200 words section and get feedback on how to
improve it prior to the final deadline.
The arrangements for each week are as follows:
Week 6:
Deadline for emailing me your work: 5pm Friday 30 October
Feedback Day: Wednesday 4 November (during the seminar)
Week 10:
Deadline for emailing me your work: 5pm Monday 23 November
Feedback Day: Wednesday 25 November (during the seminar)

Assessment Rationale and Marking Criteria

The student portfolio has been designed to engage student interest in the
study of equality, justice and citizenship, by encouraging students to apply
learned approaches and theories to their chosen theme of focus. In marking
the portfolio I will take into account: 1) the quality and depth of engagement
with the relevant literature; 2) the quality of reflection on the film screening
and its integration into the broader discussion of the section; 3) the quality of
the argument; 4) the use of evidence; 5) writing and presentation skills
(including referencing).

Further Information Regarding Coursework

In addition to the information contained in the Handbook, which is specific to
the assessment for this module, you need to be aware of general guidance
and policies for coursework submission in Politics and IR. Instructions and
guidance relating to these and other procedures can be found in the PIR Red
Book. You should consider this your ‘How To’ guide. The PIR Red Book can
be found on the Politics and International Relations Blackboard site. 
 
The current version of the Politics and IR Course Handbook provides
detailed information about regulations relating to: 

 Submitting your work

 Late submission
 Plagiarism and referencing
 Mitigating circumstances
 Word limits
 Essay Grading

For information about Academic progression, condoned credits, and referral

opportunities, see the Handbook of Academic Regulations (section 17). 

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