Does Contemporary Democracy Show a Crisis of Respect?

There’s a lot to like about Respect and Loathing (not least the Hunter Thompson reference!): it breaks new ground by using empirical methods to investigate a theoretical concept; it is ambitious, taking on a key element of the current democratic crisis; and it is engaging and readable. It’s a real achievement and will inspire many young graduate students to emulate its methodology, leading to a useful rapprochement between political theory and political science. I also agree with a lot of the book: it is incredibly level-headed and sensible. I want to investigate two claims about which I wasn’t fully persuaded: first, is the liberal respect paradox really a matter of recognition respect? Second, is an egalitarian pluralist ethos the right response to the crisis of respect?