Power counts as non-arbitrary when those subject to it control how it is exercised.
Evidence
Power is not arbitrary, on this second view, to the extent that it is directly or indirectly controlled by the concerned persons or groups themselves. In an example offered by Pettit (2012, 57–58), suppose Andrea has given Bob the keys to her alcohol cupboard, with strict instructions that no matter how much she pleads, he is not to return them except on twenty-four hours notice. Since Bob must answer to Andrea for his conduct in this regard, his power over her is not arbitrary. In roughly the same way, the power of the state over its citizens will not be arbitrary provided the people have an equal share in controlling how their state exercises its power. — Frank Lovett, Republicanism, 33
Categorization
- DEFINE: Concretely illustrates the democratic conception of non-arbitrariness via Pettit’s alcohol-cupboard example.
- corroborated: 5 independent passages support this claim — Frank Lovett, Republicanism, 33
- XREF: connects to: A power chain requires controlling another’s exercise of power, not just their actions. — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 655; Mystified arbitrary power becomes immune to legal restraint — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 628; Arbitrariness concerns the controls on an act, not its consequences
Related
- Arbitrariness concerns the controls on an act, not its consequences (similarity 0.83)
- Republican ‘arbitrariness’ means sheer lack of control, not injustice. (similarity 0.83)
- A power chain requires controlling another’s exercise of power, not just their actions. (similarity 0.81)
- Freedom means no one holds arbitrary power to interfere with us. (similarity 0.79)
- Law can be non-arbitrary and freedom-preserving rather than inherently dominating (similarity 0.79)
- Interference is arbitrary by lack of control, not by harmful consequences. (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- A power chain requires controlling another’s exercise of power, not just their actions.
#complicates(0.75) — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 655 - Mystified arbitrary power becomes immune to legal restraint
#complicates(0.72) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 628