Rutger Claassen is a Professor of Political Philosophy and Economic Ethics at Utrecht University. His major interest lies in the functioning political institutions, such as democracy and the rule of law, and economic institutions, such as markets, and property rights. His contribution is to uncover the philosophical foundations of these institutions, reveal the ethical dilemma’s surrounding them, criticize them where necessary and investigate proposals for institutional innovation.
Claassen has authored and co-authored several books and numerous journal articles, addressing pressing societal challenges and suggesting concrete solutions. …
Rutger Claassen is a Professor of Political Philosophy and Economic Ethics at Utrecht University. His major interest lies in the functioning political institutions, such as democracy and the rule of law, and economic institutions, such as markets, and property rights. His contribution is to uncover the philosophical foundations of these institutions, reveal the ethical dilemma’s surrounding them, criticize them where necessary and investigate proposals for institutional innovation.
Claassen has authored and co-authored several books and numerous journal articles, addressing pressing societal challenges and suggesting concrete solutions. In earlier research projects he investigated the moral limits of marketization, the capability approach to social justice and conceptions of political freedom. Currently, Claassen is particularly interested in the social and political role of (large) business corporations and debates about corporate governance. He leads a research project titled "The Business Corporation as a Political Actor," funded by the European Research Council (ERC).
Claassen serves as the Director of the Ethics Institute. In this institute, researchers use ethical reflection to study a range of contemporary topics, from climate justice to technology ethics, health and wellbeing, social justice and democracy. He is also a member of the Program Team of Utrecht University’s Strategic Theme “Institutions for Open Societies” (IOS) and a member of the platform on “Markets and Corporations in Open Societies”. In IOS, researchers work together in interdisciplinary teams to address the challenges faced by open societies. In the past, Claassen played a key role in developing the interdisciplinary bachelor programme "Philosophy, Politics, and Economics" at Utrecht University.
Claassen actively participates in public discussions on political issues through podcasts, newspaper articles, and media appearances. He has provided input for reports and policy papers for various organizations, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Centraal Plan Bureau. For years, he was the co-organizer of a monthly Philosophical Café in Utrecht. For more information, a full CV and some downloads, please visit his personal web page.
