Grey Zones of Resistance and Contemporary Political Theory. Issue 165 (1st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mrovlje, Maša; Kirkpatrick, Jennet
• Is Part Of: Theoria. Volume 67:Issue 165(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2020-12-01
• Subjects: Arts -- Periodicals; Humanities -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; 082
• DOI: 10.3167/th.2020.6716501
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-5817

Abstract

Abstract : Of late, resistance has become a central notion in political theory, standing at the heart of attempts to respond to the dilemmas of contemporary times. However, many accounts tend to ascribe to an idealised, heroic view. In this view, resistance represents a clear-cut action against injustice and stems from individuals' conscious choice and their unwavering ethical commitment to the cause. Some liberal scholars, most notably Candice Delmas and Jason Brennan, have argued that citizens of democratic societies have a moral duty to resist state-sanctioned injustice. This resistance occurs either through 'principled – civil or uncivil – disobedience' or through 'defensive actions' (Delmas 2018: 5; Brennan 2019: 15). While acknowledging that pervasive injustice can compromise our cognitive and moral capacities, however, their articulation of our political obligation to resist refrains from a sustained examination of the moral dilemmas, uncertainties and risks that arise when fighting systemic oppression (Delmas 2018: 198–222; Brennan 2019: 28–59, 210–14).