Public Moral Norm Internalization
Actors internalizing public moral norms as their action maxims
WHAT IS IT?
Among shared values, principles, and norms (principle), public moral norms especially play a key role in health governance. ‘Public’ refers to norms that apply to the public sphere, concerning what we do as a society. ‘Moral’ means that norms are rooted in our shared conviction of ‘rightness,’ or at least, in the lack of ‘wrongness.’ Actors internalize these public moral norms and use them as a part of their action-taking maxims. They influence actors’ voluntary thoughts and actions just like any other personal values.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Public moral norm internalization is essential to link actors’ private interests with public goals. It reminds actors of their plural subjecthood, which is an essential component of provincial globalism (PG), the justice theory complementing Shared Health Governance at the global level. The plural subjecthood theory sees human beings as both individuals and members of multiple communities. PG applies the theory to suggest a common subjecthood around coproducing a healthy society, making it each person’s responsibility to their part. (Read more about plural subjecthood under provincial globalism). We need internalized norms to influence individuals and groups to embrace and promote such social responsibilities suggested in the plural subjecthood. Without it, motivation to act may be insufficient, and the wisdom and skills needed for decisive, meaningful, effective action will not develop over time. Internalized norms can prompt voluntary commitment by actors instead of coerced actions, which is more sustainable than coercion or bargaining-based achievement of short-term goals.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Under this principle, we will have a moral and just health system underpinned by public moral norms, instead of the current health governance that condones exploitation and fraud. Agents incorporate public moral norms as an essential part of their decision-making mechanism. Decisions and practices throughout the health system reflect public moral norms. Voluntary actions of actors align with the common objective.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
To effectuate this principle, it is essential that actors begin regular, proactive joint deliberations to talk to other actors – not as bargaining for maximizing selfish interests, but as a joint endeavor to obtain, secure, and enlarge common purpose and commitments. This helps us form shared values, principles, and norms which serve as a foundation of public moral norms each actor can internalize. When we have the shared foundation in place (e.g., in the form of the Global Health Constitution), actors will internalize norms. In the internalization process, we may use suitable measures to induce actors' voluntary commitments towards appropriate goals like persuasion, incentives, feedback, and accountability. It asks actors to reflect on what is truly important and how to voluntarily commit themselves to it.