Reconceiving the democratic boundary problem
Open accessAbstract
The democratic boundary problem arises because it appears that the units within which democratic decision procedures will operate cannot themselves be constituted democratically. The study argues that setting the boundaries of democracy involves attending simultaneously to three variables: domain (where and to whom do decisions apply), constituency (who is entitled to be included in the deciding body) and scope (which issues should be on the decision agenda). Most of the existing literature has focussed narrowly on the constituency question, endorsing either the All‐Affected Interests Principle or the All Subjected Principle, but neither is satisfactory as a general solution. In particular, the former fails to explain why having interests at stake in a decision necessarily gives you the right to participate in making it, and the latter, although more plausible on that count, assumes that the domain and scope issues have already been settled. To make progress, we need to bring democratic values to bear on the boundary problem. The units we favour should be those that are likely to promote political equality and solidarity among members of the demos. Although this approach will often justify existing territorial states as sites of democracy, it can also generate arguments for making boundary changes along one or other dimension.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
The democratic boundary problem should be reconceived as multidimensional, involving not only who is included (constituency) but also where decisions apply (domain) and which issues are decided (scope). Miller argues that neither the All-Affected Interests Principle nor the All-Subjected Principle alone solves the problem, and that boundary drawing should be guided by democratic values of political equality and solidarity.
Key findings
- The boundary problem has three interconnected dimensions: domain, constituency, and scope; existing literature has focused narrowly on constituency.
- The All-Affected Interests Principle (AAIP) fails as a general solution because having interests at stake does not necessarily give a right to participate, as shown by cases such as appointment decisions and firms bidding for a government contract.
- The All-Subjected Principle (ASP) is generally a better answer to the constituency question than AAIP, but it assumes that domain and scope issues have already been settled and may be too restrictive in cases such as a residents’ association campaign.
- To make progress, boundary drawing should promote political equality and solidarity; this will often justify existing territorial states as sites of democracy, but can also generate arguments for changing boundaries along one or more dimensions.
Methods
- Conceptual and normative analysis in political philosophy, not an empirical study.
- Reviews and critiques prominent principles in the boundary-problem literature, especially AAIP and ASP, using illustrative examples.
- Proposes a multidimensional framework and evaluates boundary arrangements by their likely effects on political equality and solidarity within the demos.
Limitations
- Stated in the paper: for reasons of space, Miller leaves aside the vexed question of what it means to be affected by a decision.
- Stated in the paper: he does not claim that ASP taken alone adequately solves the boundary problem.
- Evident from the text: the argument is abstract and normative, with no empirical data, sample, or systematic case comparison; it also notes that implications depend on contested beliefs about the sources of solidarity.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
3 of 26 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged
- Interpretationcitation
Members of the demos should have an equal opportunity to influence the decisions reached.
“Beyond this, they should have an equal opportunity to influence the decisions reached (see Erman, 2014, pp. 539-42;Song, 2012, pp. 45-46; for a longer discussion of the role that the idea of equal influence plays in justifying democracy, see; Kolodny, 2014).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
The political equality argument will often speak in favour of existing territorial states as sites of democracy, since it is within such states that the interlinking of interests supporting equality is most likely to be found.
“Such cases aside, the political equality argument will often speak in favour of existing territorial states as sites of democracy, since it is within such states that we are most likely to see the interlinking of interests that supports equality (see Song, 2012, pp. 58-62).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites Song, 2012 source
- Interpretationreasoning
The boundary problem should be reconceived as inherently multidimensional.
“My first proposal for reconceiving the problem, therefore, is that we should think of it as inherently multidimensional in the way just explained.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Where basic interests are linked in the way described, there is no reason to expect a consolidated majority to emerge and dominate the remainder of the demos.
“Where basic interests are linked in this way, we have no reason to expect a consolidated majority emerging to dominate the remainder of the demos.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Dahl's formulation of the All-Affected Interests Principle implicitly assumes that the domain question has already been resolved.
“Notice that this formulation, by referring to 'decisions of a government', implicitly assumes that the domain question has already been resolved, since by 'a government' Dahl clearly intends a body with a fixed territorial jurisdiction.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Dahl, 1970
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
The right to be included in the decision-making constituency can be justified by appeal to personal autonomy.
“The right to be included in the decision-making constituency can then be justified by appeal to personal autonomy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In its instrumental form, the All-Affected Interests Principle has a utilitarian foundation.
“What these counter-examples to AAIP reveal is that, in its instrumental form, the principle has a utilitarian foundation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The approach of favouring units that promote political equality and solidarity can also generate arguments for making boundary changes along one or other dimension.
“it can also generate arguments for making boundary changes along one or other dimension.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
To justify expanding the constituency to include a group likely to feel the impact of decisions, we need to know whether their inclusion will alter the outcome in a way favourable to them.
“The point, therefore, is that to justify expanding the constituency in such a case, we need to open up the black box and look at what is going on inside.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In the name of political equality, political boundaries should as far as possible be set so that they enclose a group with overlapping and interconnected interests.
“So, still in the name of political equality, political boundaries should as far as possible be set so that they enclose a group with overlapping and interconnected interests.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Political equality counts in favour of decision-making bodies with a stable membership taking decisions on a variety of issues over time.
“This counts first of all in favour of bodies with a stable membership, taking decisions on a variety of issues over time.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given
The All Subjected Principle, although more plausible on the question of why affected interests give a right to participate, assumes that the domain and scope issues have already been settled.
“the latter, although more plausible on that count, assumes that the domain and scope issues have already been settled.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given
The All-Affected Interests Principle fails to explain why having interests at stake in a decision necessarily gives one the right to participate in making it.
“In particular, the former fails to explain why having interests at stake in a decision necessarily gives you the right to participate in making it”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
Being entitled to just treatment by other groups when our interests are at stake is different from being entitled to participate in their decision-making processes.
“being entitled to just treatment by other groups whenever our interests are at stake is quite different from being entitled to participate in the decisionmaking processes of those groups”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites López-Guerra (2005, p. 223) source
- Premisenone given
Before a democracy can operate, it needs a formal or informal constitution specifying who is entitled to take part in its proceedings.
“Before a democracy can begin to operate, it needs to have a (formal or informal) constitution-for example, there has to be some rule that specifies who is entitled to take part in its proceedings, by voting and so forth.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Letting people take part in decisions that affect them is often a good way of promoting overall welfare.
“Letting people take part in the decisions that affect them is often a good way of promoting overall welfare.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The approach of favouring units that promote political equality and solidarity will often justify existing territorial states as sites of democracy.
“Although this approach will often justify existing territorial states as sites of democracy”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The equality-of-influence argument fails in the case where the same majority wins on each occasion that a decision is taken.
“The argument above would fail in the case where the same majority wins on each occasion that a decision is taken.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In the subset of cases where people's interests at stake are such that they ought to be included in the democratic constituency, the All Subjected Principle captures this best, not the All-Affected Interests Principle.
“In the subset of cases in which the interests people have at stake are such that they ought to be included in the democratic constituency, the principle that seems to capture this best is not AAIP but its main rival (in the constituency stakes), the ASP.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Where a population is not capable of living together as political equals, there is an egalitarian case for redrawing boundaries to create new units better able to function as democracies.
“Where this is not the case, as in the example of the culturally polarised society, there will be an egalitarian case for redrawing boundaries to create new units that are better able to function as democracies.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
Having interests at stake is not sufficient to trigger a demand for justificatory access to the decision-making procedure.
“But on further reflection, it seems doubtful that having interests at stake is sufficient to trigger a demand for justificatory access of this kind.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Even as an answer to the constituency question, ASP may in some cases be too restrictive.
“First, even as an answer to the constituency question, it may in some cases be too restrictive.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Boundaries drawn around such a culturally polarised association as a single, undifferentiated unit fail the test of democracy.
“So boundaries drawn around that association as a single, undifferentiated unit also fail the test of democracy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
When letting people take part would bias what should be an impartial decision too heavily in their personal favour, they have no claim to take part, no matter how great their interest in the outcome.
“But, when it is not-because the result would be to bias what should be an impartial decision too heavily in their personal favour-they have no claim to take part, no matter how great their interest in the outcome.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Over the course of a series of decisions, each member of the demos can expect to be positively influential on a number of occasions, statistically speaking more often than not.
“But over the course of a series of decisions, each member of the demos can expect to be positively influential on a number of occasions, indeed statistically speaking more often than not.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Equality of influence is unlikely to be achievable in the case of a single decision, where the majority view typically prevails at the expense of the minority.
“If we understand influence as the capacity to shift an outcome in the direction that you favour, equality of influence is unlikely to be achievable in the case of a single decision, where the majority view will typically prevail at the expense of the minority.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The examples usually used to defend the All-Affected Interests Principle do not entail it because they can also be accommodated by other principles, such as the All Subjected Principle.
“However, although these examples appear to support AAIP, they do not entail it because they can also be accommodated by other principles.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Creating new boundaries, either between sub-units within a federal system or by outright secession, can bring well-functioning democracies into existence.
“By creating new boundaries-either between sub-units within a federal system, or by outright secession-well-functioning democracies can be brought into existence.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Previous boundaries that encircled populations that found it difficult to live together as one people made collective decisions difficult.
- Interpretationreasoning
The ability to speak and vote, directly or indirectly, on the rules that will be applied provides some, though never complete, protection against the risk of domination.
“the ability to speak and vote, directly or indirectly, on the rules that will be applied provides some protection (though never, it should be noted, complete protection) against that risk.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Subjection carries with it the risk of domination.
- Premisereasoning
The democratic boundary problem arises because the units within which democratic decision procedures operate cannot themselves be constituted democratically.
“The democratic boundary problem arises because it appears that the units within which democratic decision procedures will operate cannot themselves be constituted democratically.”
- Also stated in: § 1 | THE BOUNDARY PROBLEM'S THREE DIMENSIONS · plain
“A bounded democracy, it seems, cannot be democratic all the way down.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Also stated in: § 1 | THE BOUNDARY PROBLEM'S THREE DIMENSIONS · plain
- Interpretationcitation
Merely hypothetical threats of coercion do not amount to autonomy-threatening subjection.
“for further reflection on why merely hypothetical threats of coercion do not amount to autonomy-threatening subjection, see Miller, 2010;Beckman, 2014”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Miller, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Beckman, 2014 source
- Interpretationreasoning
The higher one's expectations of democracy, the more one will look for pre-political sources of solidarity among the demos, and thus attempt to draw the boundaries of democracy around groups likely to display that feature.
“The higher one's expectations-for example, the closer it should come to reaching decisions by purely deliberative means-the more one will look for pre-political sources of solidarity among the demos, which in turn will mean attempting to draw the boundaries of democracy around groups likely to display that feature.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Solidarity within the demos encourages people voluntarily to comply with laws and other decisions with which they may disagree, out of respect for fellow members expected to comply with laws they dislike.
“First, it encourages people voluntarily to comply with laws and other decisions with which they may disagree, out of respect for fellow members who in turn are expected to comply with laws and decisions that they dislike.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Solidarity is an essential component of democracy, not as a matter of definition but for empirical reasons.
“I turn next to solidarity, which is also an essential component of democracy, though not in this case as a matter of definition but for empirical reasons.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Political equality and solidarity are values that both liberals and radicals should embrace.
- Interpretationreasoning
Saying that fishermen ought to have a voice when fishing quotas are allocated because of their obvious interest in the outcome does not settle which level of decision-making is the right one for such decisions.
“To say that fishermen ought to have a voice when fishing quotas are being allocated because of their obvious interest in the outcome does not yet settle which level of decision-making-local, national or regional-is the right one for decisions of that kind.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
A democracy cannot rely on coercion as the main instrument to enforce its decisions.
“A democracy cannot rely on coercion as the main instrument to enforce its decisions.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Solidarity encourages participants in the democratic process to reach decisions that are reasonably acceptable to every member, since they are reluctant to impose socially or politically divisive policies.
“Second, solidarity encourages participants in the democratic process to reach decisions that are reasonably acceptable to every member, since they will be reluctant to impose policies that are socially or politically divisive.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The more solidaristic an association, the more likely it is to be able to approximate equal political influence, because members value finding solutions everyone finds acceptable.
“This is the point at which political equality and solidarity converge: the more solidaristic an association, the more likely it is to be able to approximate equal political influence, because the members will attach the value to finding solutions to problems that everyone will find acceptable, which means listening to divergent voices and finding ways to accommodate them.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The implications for boundary drawing depend on what one believes about the sources of solidarity in groups whose members do not meet face to face.
“The implications for boundary drawing depend on what one believes about the sources of solidarity in groups whose members do not meet face to face (for some possible answers, see Miller, 2017).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Miller, 2017 source
- Interpretationreasoning
There may be valuable forms of international regulation that can be created by negotiation between states but cannot be made subject to direct democratic control.
“There may be valuable forms of international regulation, for example, that can be created by negotiation between states, but that cannot be made subject to direct democratic control.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Assuming that the boundary question is just the question of who is entitled to participate in democratic institutions whose domain and scope are already fixed overlooks the possibility that no well-functioning democracy can be created within existing boundaries.
“If we assume that the boundary question just is the question of who is entitled to participate in democratic institutions whose domain and scope are already fixed, we overlook the possibility that no well-functioning democracy can be created within existing boundaries.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Where policies are made indirectly by elected representatives, solidarity means they will not support parties standing on platforms that overtly privilege one or more sectional groups.
“In the case where policies are made indirectly by elected representatives, they will not support parties standing on platforms that overtly privilege one or more sectional groups (e.g., racist or exclusive religious parties).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 39
- May combine two claims. 16
- The quote only partly states this claim. 1
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAAIP seems to indicate that ideally the decision-making body should be constituted afresh for each new decision, since a different set of interests will be at stake.
“Contrast here, the approach suggested by AAIP, which, as critics have pointed out, seems to indicate that ideally the decision-making body should be constituted afresh for each new decision, since a different set of interests will be at stake (Song, 2012, pp. 56-58;Whelan, 1983, pp. 18-19).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked- cites Song, 2012 source
- cites Whelan, 1983
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe term 'subject' is ambiguous: it could mean being legally bound to follow the laws a government issues, or being subject to institutions with the capacity to enforce the law, i.e., being coerced to obey.
“As Beckman points out, the term is ambiguous: It could mean being legally bound to follow the laws that the government issues; or it could mean being subject to institutions with the capacity to enforce the law, in other words being coerced to obey (Beckman, 2014, pp. 255-258; see also; Goodin, 2016, p. 370).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
PremisecitationThe relevant condition is a 'common world' in which the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of each person is connected with the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of every other person.
“Christiano expresses this condition in terms of creating a 'common world…in which the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of each person are connected with the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of every other person' (Christiano, 2006, p. 85; see also Erman, 2014, p. 541.)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe boundary problem requires a multidimensional approach that also asks whether it is justifiable to have a decision-making body with a given domain and/or scope in the first place.
“We need, in other words, to take a multidimensional approach to the boundary problem.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningSolving the boundary problem requires a theory about the inner workings of democracy, i.e., how democratic systems translate members' interests, opinions, and judgements into collective decisions.
“My second proposal is that to solve the boundary problem, we need to have a theory about the inner workings of democracy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningA person should be allowed to participate in and express views on a residents' association's local environment campaign even though they are not subjected to its decisions, since no legal binding or coercion is involved.
“I should surely be allowed to participate and express my views, even though it would be more than a stretch to say that I am being 'subjected' to its decisions because no legal binding or coercion is involved.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationcitationIf a decision significantly affects my interests, what I can rightfully demand is that the body taking it give those interests due consideration.
“In general, if a decision is going to be made somewhere that significantly affects my interests, what I can rightfully demand is that the body taking that decision should give those interests due consideration (Beckman, 2009, pp. 45-46).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Beckman, 2009 source
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningA political association in which a majority group uses its political advantage to decide all cultural questions in its favour without concession to minorities does not realise political equality and is to that extent undemocratic.
“A political association in which a majority group uses its political advantage to decide all cultural questions in its favour and without any concession to minorities does not realise political equality and is to that extent undemocratic.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted). May combine two claims.
Premisenone givenCritics claim that in practice the All Subjected Principle is not more determinate because states regularly take decisions and make laws applying to outsiders, so the principle implies that almost anyone might potentially have a right to be included.
“Critics claim that in practice this is not so because states now regularly take decisions and make laws that apply to people outside of their borders, thereby subjecting outsiders to those laws, so ASP too implies that almost anyone might potentially have a right to be included in their decision-making.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningThere is reason to be concerned about states exercising their legal powers extraterritorially when this is not essential for reasons of self-defence.
“To be clear, there is certainly reason to be concerned about states exercising their legal powers extraterritorially when this is not essential for reasons of self-defence (such as warding off an imminent terrorist attack).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningThe life-shaping character of subjection distinguishes it from cases in which a person's interests are merely affected in one way or another.
“and it is the life-shaping character of this subjection that distinguishes it from other cases in which a person's interests are merely affected in one way or another.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisereasoningBecause being subjected is narrower than being affected, supporters of the All Subjected Principle argue that it provides a more determinate and more plausible solution to the constituency problem than the All-Affected Interests Principle.
“Because 'being subjected' to decisions appears to be considerably narrower than 'being affected' by them, supporters of ASP argue that it provides a more determinate, and more plausible, solution to the constituency problem than AAIP.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningWhere misalignment exists, it can in principle be put right by altering the constituency, the domain, or the scope.
“Conversely, where we find misalignment, as we often will, in principle it can be put right either by altering the constituency (including more or fewer people in decision-making), altering the domain (widening or narrowing the geographical range over which the decisions apply), or altering the scope (adding to or subtracting from the decision agenda).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe key idea behind the All-Affected Interests Principle is to solve the boundary problem by identifying the constituency that should be empowered to take decisions whose domain and scope are already known.
“Nevertheless, the key idea behind AAIP is to solve the boundary problem by identifying the constituency that should be empowered to take decisions whose domain and scope are already known.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningExtraterritorial exercises of legal power can be characterised as democratically unjustifiable extensions of the domain of decision-making.
“This is where the broader framing of the boundary problem I am recommending is helpful, because these power exercises can be characterised as democratically unjustifiable extensions of the domain of decision-making”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningAlthough in a formal sense extraterritorial laws may make large numbers of people subject to the laws of other states, it is not clear that this is subjection in the sense that motivates the All Subjected Principle.
“Yet, although in a formal sense this may make large numbers of people world-wide subject to the laws of various states other than their own, it is not clear that this is 'subjection' in the sense that motivates ASP.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
Interpretationnone givenTo make progress on the boundary problem, we need to bring democratic values to bear on it.
“To make progress, we need to bring democratic values to bear on the boundary problem.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenWe have democratic reasons for wanting to find a solution to the boundary problem, if we can.
“These are preliminary observations, intended only to suggest that we have democratic reasons for wanting to find a solution to the boundary problem, if we can.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisenone givenThe All-Affected Interests Principle is perhaps the most prominent principle applied to solve the boundary problem.
“Perhaps, the most prominent is the All-Affected Interests Principle (AAIP).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
Interpretationnone givenThe standard case of subjection to a government is being required to conform to a battery of laws that will be enforced if necessary by the threat of coercion.
“However, the standard case of subjection to a government is being required to conform to a battery of laws that will be enforced if necessary by the threat of coercion”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningEqual political rights for the members of the demos are necessary but not sufficient for political equality.
“To achieve it, it is necessary, but not sufficient, that the members of the demos should have equal political rights.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisereasoningASP assumes that the domain and scope issues of the boundary problem have already been settled.
“Second, and more important, ASP assumes that the domain and scope issues have already been settled.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningStates should stop making laws with such a wide extraterritorial extension and rely instead on reciprocal arrangements with other states to control cross-border criminal activity.
“States should simply stop making laws with such a wide extension and rely instead on making reciprocal arrangements with other states to control cross-border criminal activity”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Goodin, 2016 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Premisenone givenMost existing literature has focused narrowly on the constituency question, endorsing either the All-Affected Interests Principle or the All Subjected Principle.
“Most of the existing literature has focussed narrowly on the constituency question, endorsing either the All-Affected Interests Principle or the All Subjected Principle”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationA general theory of boundaries must include concerns such as economic self-sufficiency and shared identity of the units.
“I have argued elsewhere that a general theory of boundaries must include concerns such as these (Miller, 2016).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Miller, 2016 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationnone givenSetting the boundaries of democracy involves attending simultaneously to three variables: domain, constituency, and scope.
“The study argues that setting the boundaries of democracy involves attending simultaneously to three variables: domain (where and to whom do decisions apply), constituency (who is entitled to be included in the deciding body) and scope (which issues should be on the decision agenda).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisereasoningThe scope dimension tends to be neglected in discussions of the boundary problem.
“The scope dimension tends to be neglected in discussions of the boundary problem”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenFrom a democratic point of view, the ideal case is one in which constituency, domain, and scope are perfectly aligned.
“The point, then, is that from a democratic point of view, the ideal case is one in which constituency, domain and scope are perfectly aligned: a given body of people make decisions that apply within the area that they, and only they, inhabit on issues that are legitimately theirs to decide.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningThere is a third dimension to the boundary problem: scope, the range of issues that any given democratic body is entitled to make decisions about.
“And there is yet a third dimension to be considered, namely that of scope: what is the range of issues that any given democratic body is entitled to make decisions about?”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe radical view carries the danger that making all existing boundaries objects of ongoing contestation puts the functioning of democracy itself in question, since democracy seems to require a relatively stable demos that can make coherent decisions over time.
“Conversely, the radical view carries with it the danger that by making all existing boundaries into objects of ongoing contestation, the functioning of democracy itself is put in question, since democracy seems to require a relatively stable demos that can make coherent decisions over time.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Democracy requires a relatively stable demos that can make coherent decisions over time.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationcitationThe subjection that gives rise to a claim for political inclusion is subjection that actually shapes a person's life by opening up and protecting options while shutting off others, thereby enabling and potentially threatening their autonomy.
“The subjection that gives rise to a claim for political inclusion is subjection that actually shapes a person's life by opening up (and protecting) options that they might choose while shutting off others, thereby both enabling and potentially threatening their autonomy”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Miller, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Beckman, 2014 source
May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationNeither the conservative nor the radical response to the boundary problem is wholly satisfactory.
“Neither of these responses seems wholly satisfactory, however”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Maltais, Rosenberg and Beckman, 2019 source
- cites Donahue & Ochoa Espejo, 2016
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationGoodin argues that anticosmopolitans hoping to rely on the All Subjected Principle to keep the franchise within broadly conventional bounds will be disappointed.
“According to Goodin, 'anticosmopolitans hoping to rely on the ASP to keep the franchise within broadly conventional bounds will be sorely disappointed' (Goodin, 2016, p. 368).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Goodin, 2016 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).
Premisenone givenPolitical equality is a core component of democracy.
“Political equality is plainly a core component of democracy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Political equality and solidarity are values that both liberals and radicals should embrace.
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningNeither the All-Affected Interests Principle nor the All Subjected Principle is satisfactory as a general solution to the boundary problem.
“but neither is satisfactory as a general solution.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Premisenone givenThere is no agreement on a solution to the boundary problem, or on what exactly the boundary problem is.
“Yet, despite a fairly extensive literature addressed to the topic, there is no sign of agreement on a solution, or indeed on what exactly the boundary problem is.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe domain issue and the constituency issue are deeply interconnected: one cannot justifiably set physical boundaries without knowing who is included in the demos that will legislate inside them, and vice versa.
“But on reflection, it seems that those two issues are deeply interconnected: One cannot (justifiably) set physical boundaries without knowing who is going to be included in the demos that will legislate inside them, and vice versa.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).
InterpretationreasoningThe units we favour should be those likely to promote political equality and solidarity among members of the demos.
“The units we favour should be those that are likely to promote political equality and solidarity among members of the demos.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
Interpretationreasoning'Interests' in this argument must be interpreted broadly to include not just material interests but also cultural interests pursued through political channels.
“Note that 'interests' here must be interpreted broadly so as to include not just material interests but also for instance cultural interests where these are pursued through political channels.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe conservative response is undermined by the fact that boundaries have in the past been redrawn in ways beneficial to democracy, and there is no reason to think this process of revision has ended.
“The first is undermined by the fact that boundaries have in the past been redrawn in ways that are beneficial to democracy, and there is no reason to think that this process of revision has come to an end.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Boundaries have in the past been redrawn in ways that are beneficial to democracy.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenThe existing literature on the boundary problem has, with one or two exceptions, mistakenly been searching for a single principle that could resolve the problem, such as AAIP.
“I have argued that the existing literature on the boundary problem has (with one or two exceptions) mistakenly been searching for a single principle that could resolve the problem, such as AAIP.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningIt may be the domain or scope dimensions that need to be changed, for example by allowing a sub-unit to secede and become an independent decision-making body, or by amalgamating two units whose interests are intertwined.
“Instead, it may be these other dimensions that need to be changed, for example, by allowing a sub-unit to secede and become an independent decisionmaking body, or by amalgamating two units in cases where interests are intertwined in such a way that neither can make decisions that do not have significant repercussions for the other.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe issues of constituency, domain and scope need to be taken together, with the general aim of creating or preserving units that perform well by democratic standards.
“The issues of constituency, domain and scope need to be taken together, with the general aim of creating (or preserving) units that perform well, by democratic standards.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningA broader approach is needed that looks not only at individual claims for political inclusion but also at the collective properties wanted in the demos and at the anticipated quality of its decision-making.
“We need instead a broader approach that looks not only at individual claims for political inclusion, but at the collective properties that we want the demos to have, and at the anticipated quality of its decision-making.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningWe should not assume that only democratically made rules can be politically legitimate.
“Equally, we should not assume that only democratically made rules can be politically legitimate.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningSolving the boundary problem also involves asking when democracy is the right answer and when it is not.
“Solving the boundary problem also involves asking when democracy is the right answer, and when it is not.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
Democracy requires a relatively stable demos that can make coherent decisions over time.
“since democracy seems to require a relatively stable demos that can make coherent decisions over time.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Boundaries have in the past been redrawn in ways that are beneficial to democracy.
“boundaries have in the past been redrawn in ways that are beneficial to democracy”
The paper relies on this without support.
Previous boundaries that encircled populations that found it difficult to live together as one people made collective decisions difficult.
“Typically, these are cases in which previous boundaries have encircled populations that found it difficult to live together as one people, making collective decisions that applied to them all.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Subjection carries with it the risk of domination.
“Subjection carries with it the risk of domination”
The paper relies on this without support.
Political equality and solidarity are values that both liberals and radicals should embrace.
“Here, I focus on two values that both liberals and radicals should embrace: political equality and solidarity; I will finally suggest that they work most effectively in tandem.”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Cited author's surname differs from the reference list
MinorThe text cites Maltais, Rosenberg and Beckman (2019), but the matching reference lists the first author as Maltis.
“Maltais, Rosenberg and Beckman, 2019”
“Maltis, A., Rosenberg, J., & Beckman, L. (2019). The demos and its critics.”
Cites
Enfranchising All Affected Interests, and Its Alternatives
GOODIN, R. E. (2007) · Philosophy & Public Affairs · doi:10.1111/j.1088-4963.2007.00098.x · Cited by 1,157 · cited 3× · see citing works
“1 It might be said that it points us towards global democracy: in principle, the demos is unbounded (Abizadeh, 2008; Goodin, 2007).”
BackgroundNarveson, J. (1990) · Teaching Philosophy · doi:10.5840/teachphil199013463 · Cited by 1,112 · see citing works
Democratic Theory and Border Coercion: No Right to Unilaterally Control Your Own Borders
Abizadeh, A. (2008) · Political Theory · doi:10.1177/0090591707310090 · Cited by 661 · cited 3× · see citing works
“1 It might be said that it points us towards global democracy: in principle, the demos is unbounded (Abizadeh, 2008; Goodin, 2007).”
BackgroundThe Challenge of the All-Affected Principle
Näsström, S. (2010) · Political Studies · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9248.2010.00845.x · Cited by 563 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Instead, it leaves boundary setting as a matter of political contestation between groups with opposing interests (Näsström, 2011).”
BackgroundOwen, D. A. (2012) · Ethics & Global Politics · doi:10.3402/egp.v5i3.18617 · Cited by 358 · cited 2× · see citing works
“For discussion, see Arrhenius, 2018, pp. 112–114; Goodin, 2007, pp. 52–55; Owen, 2012, pp. 131–134.”
BackgroundThe boundary problem in democratic theory: why the demos should be bounded by the state
Song, S. (2012) · International Theory · doi:10.1017/s1752971911000248 · Cited by 329 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Beyond this, they should have an equal opportunity to influence the decisions reached (see Erman, 2014, pp. 539–42; Song, 2012, pp. 45–46; for a longer discussion of the role that the idea of equal influence plays in justifying democracy, see; Kolodny, 2014).”
BackgroundMethodLopez-Guerra, C. (2005) · Journal of Political Philosophy · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9760.2005.00221.x · Cited by 310 · see citing works
Rule Over None I: What Justifies Democracy?
KOLODNY, N. (2014) · Philosophy & Public Affairs · doi:10.1111/papa.12035 · Cited by 287 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Beyond this, they should have an equal opportunity to influence the decisions reached (see Erman, 2014, pp. 539–42; Song, 2012, pp. 45–46; for a longer discussion of the role that the idea of equal influence plays in justifying democracy, see; Kolodny, 2014).”
BackgroundMiller, D. E. (2009) · Philosophy & Public Affairs · doi:10.1111/j.1088-4963.2009.01158.x · Cited by 285 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Elsewhere I have argued that this will depend on the conception of democracy that we favour, on a spectrum that runs between liberal and radical versions (Miller, 2009).”
BackgroundSelf-citationWhy Immigration Controls Are Not Coercive: A Reply to Arash Abizadeh
Miller, D. E. (2009) · Political Theory · doi:10.1177/0090591709348194 · Cited by 232 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Elsewhere I have argued that this will depend on the conception of democracy that we favour, on a spectrum that runs between liberal and radical versions (Miller, 2009).”
BackgroundSelf-citationNäsström, S. (2007) · Political Theory · doi:10.1177/0090591707304951 · Cited by 191 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…it is unsatisfactory to have to conclude that the outer limits of democratic government will be determined by factors that do not themselves pass the test of democratic legitimacy (see Näsström, 2007; Yack, 2012, pp. 148–53; for a critique, see Maltais, Rosenberg and Beckman, 2019, pp. 441–444).”
BackgroundNationalism and the Moral Psychology of Community
Yack, B. (2012) · University of Chicago Press eBooks · doi:10.7208/chicago/9780226944685.001.0001 · Cited by 186 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…it is unsatisfactory to have to conclude that the outer limits of democratic government will be determined by factors that do not themselves pass the test of democratic legitimacy (see Näsström, 2007; Yack, 2012, pp. 148–53; for a critique, see Maltais, Rosenberg and Beckman, 2019, pp. 441–444).”
BackgroundA Democratic Theory of Territory and Some Puzzles about Global Democracy
Christiano, T. (2006) · Journal of Social Philosophy · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9833.2006.00304.x · Cited by 172 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…condition in terms of creating a ‘common world…in which the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of each person are connected with the fulfilment of all or nearly all of the fundamental interests of every other person’ (Christiano, 2006, p. 85; see also Erman, 2014, p. 541.)”
BackgroundEnfranchising all subjected, worldwide
Goodin, R. E. (2016) · International Theory · doi:10.1017/s1752971916000105 · Cited by 137 · cited 3× · see citing works
“…to follow the laws that the government issues; or it could mean being subject to institutions with the capacity to enforce the law, in other words being coerced to obey (Beckman, 2014, pp. 255–258; see also; Goodin, 2016, p. 370).4 This distinction will matter in instances where the two come apart.”
BackgroundBeckman, L. (2009) · doi:10.1057/9780230244962 · Cited by 110 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In general, if a decision is going to be made somewhere that significantly affects my interests, what I can rightfully demand is that the body taking that decision should give those interests due consideration (Beckman, 2009, pp. 45–46).”
BackgroundMiller, D. (2017) · The Strains of Commitment · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198795452.003.0002 · Cited by 103 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The implications for boundary drawing depend on what one believes about the sources of solidarity in groups whose members do not meet face to face (for some possible answers, see Miller, 2017).”
BackgroundSelf-citationThe Boundary Problem and the Ideal of Democracy
Erman, E. (2014) · Constellations · doi:10.1111/1467-8675.12116 · Cited by 84 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Beyond this, they should have an equal opportunity to influence the decisions reached (see Erman, 2014, pp. 539–42; Song, 2012, pp. 45–46; for a longer discussion of the role that the idea of equal influence plays in justifying democracy, see; Kolodny, 2014).”
BackgroundChapter 11. Th e Principle of Affected Interests: An Interpretation and Defense
Fung, A. (2013) · Representation · doi:10.9783/9780812208177.236 · Cited by 71 · cited 2× · see citing works
“3 Defenders of AAIP might be tempted to deal with these cases by stretching the notion of ‘influence’ (see, e.g., Fung, 2013).”
BackgroundSaunders, B. (2011) · Politics Philosophy & Economics · doi:10.1177/1470594x11416782 · Cited by 68 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In general, though, there are other means besides political participation by which to ensure that affected interests are properly considered (Saunders, 2012, pp. 292–293; Owen, 2012, pp. 137–139).”
BackgroundThe Subjects of Collectively Binding Decisions: Democratic Inclusion and Extraterritorial Law
Beckman, L. (2014) · Ratio Juris · doi:10.1111/raju.12038 · Cited by 49 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…to follow the laws that the government issues; or it could mean being subject to institutions with the capacity to enforce the law, in other words being coerced to obey (Beckman, 2014, pp. 255–258; see also; Goodin, 2016, p. 370).4 This distinction will matter in instances where the two come apart.”
BackgroundDemocratic Authority and the Boundary Problem
Simmons, A. J. (2013) · Ratio Juris · doi:10.1111/raju.12017 · Cited by 45 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For some, it is about the physical positioning of the boundaries within which a democracy is going to operate: Where should we draw the lines of political division on the map, so to speak (see, e.g., Simmons, 2013).”
BackgroundThe analytical–Continental divide: Styles of dealing with problems
Donahue, T. J., & Espejo, P. O. (2015) · European Journal of Political Theory · doi:10.1177/1474885115585324 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Boundaries, Democracy, and Territory
Miller, D. (2016) · The American Journal of Jurisprudence · doi:10.1093/ajj/auw005 · Cited by 33 · cited 1× · see citing works
“I have argued elsewhere that a general theory of boundaries must include concerns such as these (Miller, 2016).”
BackgroundSelf-citationTHE DEMOCRATIC BOUNDARY PROBLEM RECONSIDERED
Arrhenius, G. (2018) · Ethics Politics & Society · doi:10.21814/eps.1.1.52 · Cited by 31 · cited 2× · see citing works
“For discussion, see Arrhenius, 2018, pp. 112–114; Goodin, 2007, pp. 52–55; Owen, 2012, pp. 131–134.”
BackgroundMaltais, A., Rosenberg, J. H., & Beckman, L. (2019) · The Review of Politics · doi:10.1017/s0034670519000214 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Arrhenius G., 2005, Democracy unbound: Basic explorations 1, 14
- Dahl R., 1970, After the revolution?
- Whelan F., 1983, Nomos XXV: Liberal democracy, 13
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Enfranchising all subjected: A reconstruction and problematization
Goodin, R. E., & Arrhenius, G. (2024) · Politics Philosophy & Economics · doi:10.1177/1470594x241232023 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Alternatively, those laws themselves should be repealed or never enacted (Miller, 2020: 5; Andric, 2021: 391).”
BackgroundHow to have a metalinguistic dispute
Mankowitz, P. (2021) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-021-03038-2 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.001.0001 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
The Demos of the democratic firm
González-Ricoy, Í., & Magaña, P. (2024) · Politics Philosophy & Economics · doi:10.1177/1470594x241239986 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“In response, some have argued that we can make progress by appealing to the reasons that justify democracy in the fi rst place (Bengtson, 2022b; Miller, 2020; Song, 2012).”
Thinking through talking to yourself: Inner speech as a vehicle of conscious reasoning
Munroe, W. (2022) · Philosophical Psychology · doi:10.1080/09515089.2022.2042505 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“As J. T. M. D. Miller (2020) notes, regardless of whether one takes a Platonist (Hawthorne & Lepore, 2011), non-Platonist realist (Kaplan, 2011), or nominalist (J. T. M. Miller, 2021) theory of word types, it is commonly accepted that word tokens include both extramental tokens (e.g., written,…”
BackgroundBeckman, L. (2022) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003359807 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
The boundary problem of democracy: A function-sensitive view
Erman, E. (2021) · Contemporary Political Theory · doi:10.1057/s41296-021-00517-6 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“…to be rightfully included in the decision making, but also the ‘domain’ question, i.e. within which territorial jurisdiction those decisions will apply (Miller, 2020, p. 3).6 So understood, it is indeed the case, as Miller notes, that the classical solution to the boundary problem suggested by…”
BackgroundMiller, D. E. (2021) · Political Studies · doi:10.1177/00323217211046423 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“2), Näsström (2011), Owen (2012) and Saunders (2012), and for a survey, see Miller (2020).”
BackgroundSelf-citationPossible words: generativity, instantiation, and individuation
Hughes, T. J. (2023) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-023-04428-4 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The linguistic boundary problem
Peled, Y. (2021) · Citizenship Studies · doi:10.1080/13621025.2021.1968720 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“For a comprehensive case-based analysis of the political ethics of status, acquisition and corpus planning, see Oakes and Peled 2018.”
BackgroundInfluentialSpitzer, A. J. (2021) · Journal of International Political Theory · doi:10.1177/17550882211020386 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Inspired by this urgency, political theorists have lately generated an extensive literature on the boundary problem, proposing a range of solutions (e.g. Abizadeh, 2012; Arrhenius, 2005; Bauböck, 2017; Cabrera, 2014; Goodin, 2007; Miller, 2020; Owen, 2012; Song, 2012; Whelan, 1983).”
BackgroundShould refugees in the European Union have voting rights?
Benli, A. E. (2022) · Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy · doi:10.1080/13698230.2022.2062213 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“It is conditional upon being subjected to a set of life-shaping laws and regulations (Miller, 2020).”
BackgroundA(nother) democratic case for federalism
Silva, M. D. (2024) · European Journal of Political Theory · doi:10.1177/14748851241240324 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“While Miller, 2020 discusses the ‘ All Affected Interests Principle, ’ Bengtson, 2021: 721-722 contrasts a standard “ Interest Protection Rationale ” with a “ Self-Government Rationale ” under which persons have a fundamental right to self-determination requiring participation in decisions…”
InfluentialCorporate Purpose and Democratic Theory: A Governance Trilemma
Claassen, R. J. G. (2025) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-025-06127-1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“(Miller, 2020).”
The Boundary Problem in Democratic Theory: A Methodological Approach
Magaña, P. (2023) · Res Publica · doi:10.1007/s11158-023-09617-z · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…theorizing about the boundary problem must appeal to, or be constrained by, distinctively democratic values and ideals , such as political equality (Song 2012; Erman 2014; Miller 2020), solidarity (Song 2012; Miller 2020), or some kind of robust political agency (Saunders 2012; Erman 2014).”
Tugby, M. (2022) · Philosophical Studies · doi:10.1007/s11098-022-01789-3 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“To give another example, in the metaphysics of words Platonism is taken be a serious contender (Miller, 2020: Sect.”
BackgroundSharman, N. (2025) · Global Constitutionalism · doi:10.1017/s2045381725000012 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Democracy may be more likely to operate in this oppressive way on a global scale, where the sense of democratic solidarity is so weakened (Miller, 2020: 6 – 7).”
Longtermist Political Philosophy
Schmidt, A. T., & Barrett, J. (2025) · doi:10.1093/9780191979972.003.0030 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Who are the people? Associative freedom and the democratic boundary problem
Dietrich, F. S. (2023) · Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy · doi:10.1080/13698230.2023.2280744 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“The ASP fails, however, to offer normative criteria for the constitution of political communities; it must necessarily presuppose already existing political entities without being able to critically assess their demarcation (Näsström, 2011, Bauböck, 2015, Miller, 2020).”
Moral Relativism, Metalinguistic Negotiation, and the Epistemic Significance of Disagreement
Sodoma, K. A. (2021) · Erkenntnis · doi:10.1007/s10670-021-00418-5 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Thomas, J. R. (2025) · Chinese Political Science Review · doi:10.1007/s41111-025-00280-8 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The (Other) Boundary Problem: Conceptualizing Membership of the Demos’ Two Bodies
Campos, A. S. (2024) · Jus Cogens · doi:10.1007/s42439-024-00095-2 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“They emphasize, instead, criteria of inclusion based on nationality (Miller 2020), citizenship and solidarity (Song 2012), universal moral status (Koenig-Archibugi and List 2010), and relational equality (Bengtson 2022).”
Ahlhaus, S. (2024) · Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy · doi:10.1080/13698230.2024.2388415 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Democratic disenfranchisement: a relational account
Volacu, A. (2024) · Inquiry · doi:10.1080/0020174x.2024.2353618 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Boundary assembly: An institutional proposal for democratizing membership politics
Ahlhaus, S. (2024) · Global Constitutionalism · doi:10.1017/s2045381724000212 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“There now is a burgeoning literature on issues such as the democratic boundary problem (Abizadeh 2012; Erman 2014b; Magaña 2023; Miller 2020; Owen 2012; Song 2012) political rights for migrants (Bauböck 2018; Schutter and Ypi 2015), the denation-alization of suspected terrorists (Gibney 2020;…”
Schäfferle, E. (2023) · ZPTh – Zeitschrift für Politische Theorie · doi:10.3224/zpth.v13i1-2.14 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“…der obigen Kritik folgend nicht der Realisierung abstrakter demokratischer Werte, sondern dem Schutz konkreter demo-kratischer Praxis den Vorrang ein und verteidigen demzufolge das Recht bestehender Staaten, eigenständig über ihre territorialen wie zivilen Grenzen zu verfügen (vgl. Miller 2020: 7).”
What Is Wrong with the World Power System and What Can Accounting Do About It?
Bziuk, B. K., & Stehr, P. (2023) · Journal of Law and Political Economy · doi:10.5070/lp63361150 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Stoian, V. (2022) · Analele Universitatii din Bucuresti - Stiinte Politice · doi:10.54885/aub-sp-ebum6357
Subjection and inclusion: on Ludvig Beckman’s The Boundaries of Democracy
Cass, D. (2023) · Ethics & Global Politics · doi:10.1080/16544951.2023.2189360
“…that border controls do not subject people in the same ‘life shaping’ way that one’s own legal system does, and so there is no claim to inclusion (Cf. Miller 2020, 5).5 There seems to be something plausible about this thought: claims to inclusion are conditioned by the kinds of choices that are…”
BackgroundLenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0001
Deportation and the Excluded Undeportable
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0003
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0010
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0005
Subjection and Democratic Boundaries
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0002
Visa Issuance and Denial in an Unequal World
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0006
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.002.0006
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.002.0003
Cultural Accommodations and Naturalization Ceremonies
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0009
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0008
Citizens Abroad: In or Out, of What?
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0004
Lenard, P. T. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197585818.003.0007
If you polluted, you’re included: the all-affected principle and carbon tax referenda
Paaske, D. M., & Mainz, J. T. (2023) · Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy · doi:10.1080/13698230.2023.2235890
“See for example Arrhenius (2005, 2018); Bengtson (2020); Bengtson and Lippert-Rasmussen (2021); Koenig-Archibugi (2020); Lippert-Rasmussen and Bengtson (2021); Maltais et al. (2019); Miller (2009, 2020); Owen (2012); Saunders (2012); Song (2012); Whelan (1983).”
The contestable peoplehood account of democratically legitimate boundaries
Ginnane, T. (2024) · American Journal of Political Science · doi:10.1111/ajps.12851
Miller, J. T. M. (2024) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-024-04583-2
“Kaplan’s stage-continuant (1990, 2011) might be thought to be type-realist (in Miller, 2020, I classified his view as type-realist for instance).”
Le défi nativiste à la démocratie libérale1
Leyva, K. J. (2023) · Politique et Sociétés · doi:10.7202/1112305ar
Miller, J. T. M. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-95504-1.00283-0
Democratic foundation and the boundary problem: One solution to two paradoxes?
Fiorespino, L. (2025) · European Journal of Political Theory · doi:10.1177/14748851251337326
Silva, M. D. (2025) · Journal of Social Philosophy · doi:10.1111/josp.70002
Pellegrino, G. (2025) · Filosofia e questioni pubbliche · doi:10.17473/2240-7987-2025-1-1
Boman, B., & Rosenberg, J. H. (2025) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1602264
‘Water’ and ‘Water’: On Twin-Earth and the Metaphysics of Words
Miller, J. T. M. (2025) · Journal of the American Philosophical Association · doi:10.1017/apa.2025.10005
Future-Regarding Institutions Through a Legitimacy Lens
Ogami, M., Kameyama, Y., & Tasaki, T. (2025) · Political Studies Review · doi:10.1177/14789299251359387 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“In the literature on normative democratic theory, the question of who should be regarded as a member of the demos has been a subject of debate (Miller, 2020).”
Chapter 19 The Place of Democracydemocracy in AI EthicsAI ethics
Chan, W. (2025) · De Gruyter eBooks · doi:10.1515/9783111581699-021
Philanthropy for the Disenfranchised
Barrett, J. (2026) · Philosophy & Public Affairs · doi:10.1111/papa.70023
The boundary problem of democratising AI in the corporation
Chan, W. (2026) · Cambridge Forum on AI Law and Governance · doi:10.1017/cfl.2026.10045
Silver, K. (2026) · Hypatia · doi:10.1017/hyp.2026.10092
X—On Time-Slice Democracy and Getting Stuff Done
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“For some decades now, philosophers have been discussing who should be enfranchised (or at least represented) in democratic politics (Goodin 2007; Abizadeh 2008; Erman 2014; Valentini 2014; Miller 2020; Beckman 2023; Goodin and Arrhenius 2024).”
- Authors
- Miller, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Miller, David
- ORCID
- Miller, David
- Venue
- Philosophy Compass
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-08-31
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 1747-9991 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3081764014
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6
- FWCI
- 27.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Philosophy Compass (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Philosophy and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Theory and Democracy
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophical Ethics and Theory
- Keywords
- democratic legitimacy, constituency, political equality, solidarity, territorial state, border changes, democratic decision-making
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