Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 199 | Elizabeth Cohen on Time and Other Political Values
May 30, 2022
Elizabeth Cohen, a political science professor at Syracuse University and soon to be at Boston University, dives into the intricate relationship between time and political values. She discusses how time impacts voting rights, sovereignty, and citizenship, arguing that it should be central to political theory. The conversation covers the ethical implications of animal citizenship, the influence of time on social structures, and the inequities in electoral processes. Cohen emphasizes the tangible effects of economic disparities and the need for reforms to ensure fair access to political participation.
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Politics and Time
- Political theory often overlooks time, despite its impact on every political issue.
- Time is a finite, incommensurable good; wasted time is irreplaceable.
Liberalism vs. Democracy
- Liberalism focuses on individual rights and autonomy, using human nature as justification.
- Democratic theory builds upon liberalism, providing structures for self-governance.
Sovereignty and Time
- Sovereignty conflicts, like the one in Ukraine, highlight how nationhood is grounded in time and history.
- Calvin's Case (14th century) tackled citizenship issues after the uniting of English and Scottish thrones.
