Jeremy Waldron
New Zealand legal philosopher and critic of judicial review.
He holds a University Professorship at the New York University School of Law, is affiliated with the New York University Department of Philosophy, and was formerly the Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at All Souls College, Oxford University. Waldron also holds an adjunct professorship at Victoria University of Wellington. He is regarded as one of the world's leading legal and political philosophers.
- field
- Legal philosophy, political philosophy
- nationality
- New Zealand
- known_for
- Criticism of judicial review, normative legal positivism, work on human dignity
Lore & Background
Waldron attended Southland Boys' High School and studied at the University of Otago, graduating with a B.A. He earned a D.Phil. He taught at Otago, Lincoln College, the University of Edinburgh, Berkeley Law, Princeton University, and Columbia Law School before joining NYU. He has also been a visiting professor at Cornell, Otago, and Columbia Universities.
Reader's Guide
Jeremy Waldron is a leading legal and political philosopher known for his liberal and normative legal positivist views. He has written extensively on private property, the political and legal philosophy of John Locke, and human dignity. Waldron is a prominent opponent of judicial review of legislation and of torture, arguing both are in tension with democratic principles. He believes hate speech should not be protected by the First Amendment. Sandrine Baume identified Waldron and Bruce Ackerman as leading critics of the compatibility of judicial review with democratic principles. In his article 'The Core of the Case against Judicial Review,' Waldron argued for a limited role for judicial review in a robust democratic government, asserting no inherent advantage to a judiciary's protection of rights over a legislature's under certain conditions. He has also criticized analytic legal philosophy for failing to engage with political theory.
Did You Know?
- Waldron earned his D.Phil. at Lincoln College, Oxford, under legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin and political theorist Alan Ryan, graduating in 1986.
- Sandrine Baume identified Waldron and Bruce Ackerman as leading critics of the compatibility of judicial review with democratic principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jeremy Waldron?
He is a New Zealand-born legal and political philosopher, born in 1953, widely recognized as one of the foremost thinkers in his field. He currently holds a University Professorship at NYU Law and also maintains an adjunct role at Victoria University of Wellington.
What is Jeremy Waldron best known for?
His most prominent contributions include a sustained philosophical critique of judicial review, a defense of normative legal positivism, and extensive work on human dignity and the regulation of hate speech.
Where does Jeremy Waldron work?
He holds a University Professorship at the New York University School of Law with a cross-appointment in NYU's Philosophy Department. He previously served as Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at All Souls College, Oxford, and also keeps an adjunct position at Victoria University of Wellington.
Why is Jeremy Waldron important to legal philosophy?
He is regarded as one of the leading legal and political philosophers globally, shaping debates on the legitimacy of courts, the nature of law, and the boundaries of free expression. His arguments have influenced how scholars think about the role of judges versus legislatures in democratic governance.
What is Jeremy Waldron's position on judicial review?
He argues that giving courts the final say on constitutional questions undermines democratic legitimacy, since unelected judges end up overriding the decisions of elected representatives. His critique stands as a major counterpoint to the dominant pro-judicial-review position in Anglo-American legal theory.
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