"State-Sponsored Injustice: The Case of Eugenic Sterilization" with Dr. Jennifer Page

In this session of the Feminist Philosophy reading group we will discuss together with Dr. Jennifer Page (University of Zurich) her paper: "State-Sponsored Injustice: The Case of Eugenic Sterilization". The event is conducted in English and German. Receive the text upon request: swip.switzerland@gmail.com.

Abstract: What is state-sponsored injustice? In analytic political philosophy, it is common to view state-sponsored injustice as the work of a corporate agent. But as I argue, structural injustice theory provides grounds for reassessing the agential view of the state, producing new insights into statesponsored injustice. Through the example of eugenic sterilization in the United States, this article outlines a structurally-sensitive conception of state-sponsored injustice with six components: authorization, protection, systemization, execution, enablement, and norm- and belief-influence. Iris Marion Young’s models of responsibility for agential and structural injustice, and the place of state-sponsored injustice with respect to these models, are also discussed.