Normativity and Power

People are justificatory beings; they orient themselves according to reasons. The rules and institutions with which they comply are based on historically formed justification-narratives and together create a tension-filled and dynamic normative order. Moving beyond the traditional dichotomies of »idealistic« and »realistic« theories, Rainer Forst shows how closely the concepts of normativity and power are connected: power is based on the ability to influence, determine, and eventually finalize the justificatory space of others. A critical theory of justification must therefore question the reasons behind power relationships and, from there, consider more just rules of behavior.