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The British Academy Brian Barry Prize Essay: Civil Disobedience and State Anxiety

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  • Lim, Chong-Ming

Abstract

Political philosophers writing about civil disobedience have tended to neglect the anxiety of the state about such disobedience. I identify three components of state anxiety – Contagion, Fragility, Value – concerning the contagiousness of disobedience, and the fragility and value of public institutions. I argue that state anxiety can be substantiated or specious, depending on the plausibility of Contagion and Fragility. It can also be significant or trivial, depending on the plausibility of Value. Finally, and focusing on John Rawls’ influential discussions of civil disobedience, I show how political philosophizing can mirror state anxiety about disobedience and, in doing so, bolster it.

Suggested Citation

  • Lim, Chong-Ming, 2026. "The British Academy Brian Barry Prize Essay: Civil Disobedience and State Anxiety," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56, pages 1-1, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:56:y:2026:i::p:-_15
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