Honneth on Labour and Democracy: A (Sympathetic) Rejoinder

Several developments in contemporary economic and political systems have led to a renewed attention to the world of work. In light of these changes, it would seem appropriate for philosophers to have something to contribute. Axel Honneth has vigorously taken up the gauntlet in his recent book, The Working Sovereign: Labour and Democratic Citizenship (2024). In this essay, I shall offer a (sympathetic) critical analysis of two of his main arguments. To begin with, I shall rehearse his conceptual genealogy of the definition of labour and argue that while the latter is to be commended for its richness and plausibility, some elements are in need of further clarification. I will then move on to consider the core of Honneth’s argument, namely, his account of the relationship between democratic political participation and fair working conditions and shall then discuss a set of potential ambiguities that it might prove useful to resolve. In the final part of the essay, I move slightly beyond the confines of Honneth’s view, and suggest that his argument should consider the, potentially negative, impact of the competitive ethos that largely dominates employment relations in a market economy.