The Pecking Order: Social Hierarchy as a Philosophical Problem

Our political thinking is driven by an aversion to hierarchy, according to Niko Kolodny, who argues that we must appeal directly to claims against inferiority to make sense of familiar ideas. He takes inspiration from two recent trends in philosophical thought: the revival of the republican and Kantian traditions and relational egalitarianism. Kolodny offers a detailed account of relations of inferiority in terms of objectionable asymmetries of power, authority, and regard and looks ahead to specific kinds of democratic institutions that could safeguard against such relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A compelling argument for a novel philosophical stance posits that our political thinking is primarily motivated by a fear of hierarchy rather than by a commitment to freedom or fairness. Niko Kolodny makes a compelling case that our political thinking is, in fact, significantly influenced by a desire to avoid inferior relationships. To understand the most prevalent concepts in our political thought and discourse, such as the justification of the state, democracy, and rule of law, as well as critiques of paternalism and corruption, we cannot solely rely on appeals to freedom or distributive fairness, as libertarians and liberals do. Instead, we must directly address claims against inferiority, emphasizing the belief that no one should be above or below others.

The problem of justifying the state, for instance, is often framed as the conflict between individual freedom and the authority of the state. However, Kolodny argues that when we delve deeper into concerns about the state's encroachment on individual freedom, we ultimately find ourselves opposed to social hierarchy rather than unfreedom. To support his argument, Kolodny draws inspiration from two recent philosophical trends: the revival of republican and Kantian traditions, which emphasize domination and dependence, and relational egalitarianism, which focuses on the impact of income and wealth distribution on social relations.

The Pecking Order provides a comprehensive analysis of relations of inferiority in terms of objectionable asymmetries of power, authority, and regard. By venturing into uncharted territory, Kolodny offers insightful predictions about specific democratic institutions that could safeguard against such relations. This thought-provoking book challenges our conventional understanding of political motivation and offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of power and inequality in society.

Weight: 836g
Dimension: 165 x 243 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674248151