Abstract

This thesis criticizes Anna Stilz’s argument for decolonization. I question a premise in her argument that I call the “active maker premise” (AMP). AMP holds that people seek to affirm the political institutions to which they are subject. I argue that AMP cannot be grounded on the intrinsic value of affirmation for two reasons. First, appeals to affirmation risk proving too much by treating immoral acts as intrinsically valuable. Second, appeals to affirmation that point to the interest people have in self-governance risk confusing intrinsic value with extrinsic value. To rescue the argument, the thesis explores an alternative argument of grounding AMP in the natural duty of justice. I discuss how this argument is nevertheless importantly incomplete in cases of moral conflict. Stilz would need to further develop the argument in order to address the issue properly.