About this episode

The episode discusses the argument that animals have a right to be recognized as political subjects and agents.

The assumption that only humans can engage in politics—that only humans are 'zoon politikon'—is foundational to the Western tradition of political philosophy. While there is increasing recognition of animals' moral status (both within moral philosophy and at the level of public opinion), animals are not recognized as political subjects. This carefully researched but accessibly written volume—following on from the authors' earlier book Zoopolis—argues that animals too have a right to politics: a right to be recognized as political subjects and agents, and as members of political communities entitled to collective self-determination. ⁠Animals and the Right to Politics⁠ (Oxford University Press, 2026) draws on recent scientific work on animal societies, cultures, and decision-making, as well as recent work by political theorists rethinking ideas of agency and community—especially the significance of emplaced and embodied encounters and relationships to the activity of politics. Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka draw a picture of what it would mean to create spaces and practices, not only for politics conducted by humans on behalf of animals, but also politics with and by animals on…

People in this episode

Guests: Sue Donaldson, Will Kymlicka

Topics covered

• animal rights
• political philosophy
• human-animal relations
• collective self-determination
• wildlife conservation

Keywords

• animals
• politics
• moral status
• political communities
• decision-making

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxford University Press

Books & works: Zoopolis

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