Individualized promises in times of pandemic

Green pass and the legitimation of covid-19 vaccination policies

Bibliographic Data

ID12985017
AuthorsAmit Avigur-Eshel (0000-0001-8271-854X, Sapir College, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume17
Issue3
Pages447-463
Publication date2022-11-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical Policy Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1946-0171 • E-ISSN: 1946-018X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19460171.2022.2147852
OpenAlexW4309424518
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited39

Since the introduction of covid-19 vaccines, Green Pass programs have emerged as a central pillar of anti-covid-19 policies in numerous countries. But, what type of legitimation for vaccination policies do states promote through Green Pass programs. I rely on Jens Beckert’s concept of promissory legitimacy which refers to the legitimation of current political decisions through promises regarding future outcomes. Yet, I propose an original development according to which a distinctive dimension of promissory legitimacy consists of tangible promises, i.e. promises about the daily lives of social subjects to which promissory legitimacy is directed – their activities, wants, social status, social interactions, possessions etc. I argue that Green Passes constitute an effort by states to legitimate their covid-19 vaccination policies through promises that vaccination will allow persons as individuals to improve their gratification, i.e. become personally better off or improve their daily life in material terms, typically by consuming services and goods

Law and economics · Legitimacy · Legitimation · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Foucault, Power, and Ethics · Law · Political Philosophy and Ethics · Social Policy and Reform Studies

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