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How do we think about the UK lockdown debate? How do we think about the UK lockdown debate?
The libertarian position, or 'End lockdown now!' The libertarian position, or 'End lockdown now!'
The nanny state position, or 'Let the state look after us' The nanny state position, or 'Let the state look after us'
The authoritarian position, or 'Do not lift lockdown!' The authoritarian position, or 'Do not lift lockdown!'
The collective coordination state The collective coordination state
Test, trace, isolate, protect Test, trace, isolate, protect
Lockdown puts us on the path to totalitarian rule Lockdown puts us on the path to totalitarian rule
The state should not control the individual The state should not control the individual
The greater good must come first The greater good must come first
The UK lockdown model is false The UK lockdown model is false
Death rate predictions are rooted in lies Death rate predictions are rooted in lies
The government cannot be trusted The government cannot be trusted
Most people have already had the virus Most people have already had the virus
The pandemic will kill, lockdown or no lockdown The pandemic will kill, lockdown or no lockdown
We should relax the lines between the public and the private We should relax the lines between the public and the private
The role of the state must adapt in times of crisis The role of the state must adapt in times of crisis
Give the healthy their independence back Give the healthy their independence back
The state should end lockdown in phases The state should end lockdown in phases
We must trust Neil Ferguson's model We must trust Neil Ferguson's model
Public health supersedes any other consideration during the pandemic Public health supersedes any other consideration during the pandemic
Despot now, doughnut later Despot now, doughnut later
Lifting the lockdown will give rise to a police state, which must be avoided Lifting the lockdown will give rise to a police state, which must be avoided
Lifting lockdown forces workers to risk their lives during the pandemic Lifting lockdown forces workers to risk their lives during the pandemic
The lockdown solves a problem of private and social cost The lockdown solves a problem of private and social cost
We should stop the virus from spreading We should stop the virus from spreading
Contact tracing apps can potentially help individuals monitor their risk of exposure and transmission Contact tracing apps can potentially help individuals monitor their risk of exposure and transmission
More public health jobs would be created in the UK More public health jobs would be created in the UK
We need to support the test, trace, and isolation infrastructure We need to support the test, trace, and isolation infrastructure
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How do we think about the UK lockdown debate?
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The collective coordination state

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The lockdown solves a problem of private and social cost

A lockdown provides a subtle means of motivating individuals to bear a social cost and engage in solidarity. The lockdown may be lifted as less invasive means of coordination become available.
Professor Jonathan Jackson
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Context

Without a catalyst, it is difficult to encourage individuals to take collective action in the broader interest of society. A lockdown provides the motivation needed for the majority of citizens to act in the interest of public health. [1]

The Argument

Societies often act in self-interest after weighing the social costs. With an abstract threat like a viral pandemic, it can be challenging to motivate the public to bear the costs of preventing the spread of the disease. With a lockdown in place, it limits the perceived social cost of individual action against the spread of the virus. The public no longer has to weigh the costs of social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and travel. Without a lockdown in place, it still provides the illusion of choice in how individuals respond to the pandemic, despite many social behaviors risking further transmission of the virus. In many ways, this justification for the lockdown solves the dilemma of social coordination amid a public health crisis. Politicians, scientists, and the press are limited in their ability to motivate the public to take action rhetorically. Thus, the lockdown creates a more natural path to social coordination in the public health response. [2] While it may subvert the individual interests of many, it is necessary to ensure that public health is maintained.

Counter arguments

A lockdown may provide the utility of gaining public acceptance for a public health measure, but it is undemocratic. The people were circumnavigated in the decision to lock down the UK. Public officials never asked the people if it was what they wanted. While MPs are elected by the people to represent them, they ultimately must answer to the public. The paternalistic decision to restrict and police the movements of the public subverts their personal liberty. It displays an elitist distrust of the people and a misplaced faith in the bureaucrats that do the bidding of the most powerful.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Collectively determined outcomes need collectively determined mechanisms to be legitimate. [P2] The lockdown is a subtle means of coordinating the public to prevent the spread of the virus.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] While a lockdown may create collective action, it subverts collective control. [Rejecting P2] The lockdown is a symptom of a technocratic elitism that does not trust the will of the people.

References

  1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/873736/08-spi-b-return-on-risk-of-public-disorder.pdf/
  2. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/lockdown-compliance-may/
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 16 Jun 2020 at 13:43 UTC