Episode summary: David talks to Lea Ypi in Berlin and Helen Thompson in London about the various states of emergency that have been declared around the world. We discuss the theory and practice of emergency political powers: When are they justified? How can they be legitimated? When should they end? Plus we explore what the history of Roman dictatorship can teach us about the present crisis and we ask what it means when elections start getting cancelled. Talking Points: As COVID spreads, it is ushering in states of political emergency—everywhere. - Can we distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate emergency powers? - States of emergency are, by definition, outside of the rules. Historically, emergencies were supposed to be compatible with some form of rule by the people. - A legitimate emergency needs to be a public, where the public is seen as non-factional. - There also needs to be an existential threat to the political community. - The nature of the regime is also important: the people need to authorize the…
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