Essay 2

Your answer should be typed, 3-5 double-space pp.), and include a source citation for the event or phenomenon you use in your analysis. No title pages, please: just put your name on the top of the first page. Due Thursday, April 24.

Answer the following questions in one continuous essay. Where appropriate, use a current event or ongoing phenomenon to illustrate your analysis in answering the following questions:

1. Taylor argues that the need for recognition has become a prominent issue in contemporary liberal politics. What does he mean by recognition? Who is recognizing whom? Why does it matter? What are the implications of misrecognition? Refer to Taylor and his respondents in crafting your response.
2. Appiah worries that cultures, in providing ‘life-scripts’, may unduly constrain individuals in ways which prevent their recognition as individuals, i.e., the ways in which they may go ‘off-script’. Is this a reasonable concern? Do the notions of boundary trespass and boundary patrol come into play at all, and if so, how? Is it possible to recognize both individuals and cultures? How so? Explain.
3. Okin defines multiculturalism in terms of “group rights,” and contrasts that to the individualism of liberal democracy. She argues that since group rights usually infringe on individual rights, there can be no recognition for group rights. Is it the case that groups infringe upon individuals? How does this happen? If so, should individual rights always trump group rights? Should there be any exceptions? Explain, with examples.
4. Okin also claims that multiculturalism is bad and liberal democracy good for the advancement of women’s rights. Is this the case? Even if liberal democracy is not as good for women’s rights as Okin suggests, does the criticism of multiculturalism still hold? Refer to three of Okin’s respondents in crafting your response.