Abstract

This article discusses two philosophical approaches to the challenges raised by the accommodation of the claims made by dissenting citizens holding minority convictions in a liberal democracy qua an instance of respect for persons. The first approach focuses on the deliberative phase and sees the principle of equal respect for persons instantiated in the criteria for the distribution of the rights to participation in the decision-making process. The second approach concentrates on the phase of the implementation of democratically made decisions, and locates the realization of the principle of equal respect for persons in the opportunities dissenters have to challenge and change such decisions. I evaluate critically both approaches and defend the latter, with special reference to its connotation in terms of requesting specific exemptions from generally binding norms.