Governing Animals: Animal Welfare And The Liberal State

What is the role of government in protecting animal welfare? What principles should policymakers draw on as they try to balance animal welfare against human liberty?

Much has been written in recent years on our moral duties towards animals, but scholars and activists alike have neglected the important question of how far the state may go to enforce those duties. Kimberly K. Smith explores how liberal political principles apply to animal welfare policy. Focusing on animal welfare in the United States, Governing Animals begins with an account of the historical relationship between animals and the development of the American liberal welfare state. It then discusses whether animals can be considered members of the liberal social contract, justifying limited state intervention to protect their welfare even if it may harm human citizens. The study examines whether citizens have property rights in animals, what those rights entail, how animals may be represented in political and legal institutions, and what reform strategies align with liberal principles. It covers policy issues such as public funding of animal rescue, ethics of livestock production, animal sacrifice, and animal fighting.

This book also questions what kind of liberalism is appropriate for 21st-century challenges. Smith suggests that exploring the politics of animal treatment offers insights into building institutions that protect society's most vulnerable, fostering a world better suited for both humans and nonhumans.