<p>"Is there a ‘legitimacy basis for the unelected’? Yes, say Erik O. Eriksen and the specialist authors in this must-read volume. In an age of scepticism about knowledge, we are reminded of the vital importance of ‘public reason’ as a basis for informed decision-making. We know that we cannot live without experts, but we also know we must legitimate expertise. This volume unlocks this conundrum, reinvigorating existing legal and institutional debates by re-asserting the political-philosophical foundations for legitimate action." </p><p>Michelle Everson, <i>Birkbeck College, University of London, UK.</i></p><p>"Experts and expertise are under attack. They are needed but lost their aura of impartiality. This book offers a democratic understanding of experts by building on the reasons-giving requirement. Erik O. Eriksen, a master of the intersection between empirical and normative analysis, has gathered a set of intriguing contributions by excellent scholars. The result is a timely contribution to one of the most challenging issues for our democracies."</p><p>Michael Zürn,<b> </b><i>Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), Germany.</i></p>