Abstract
Balancing citizens’ freedom thought, conscience and religion with the
authority of the law which applies to all citizens alike presents an especial challenge
for the governments of European nations with socially diverse and pluralistic
populations. I address this problem from within the republican tradition represented
by Machiavelli, Harrington and Madison. Republicans have historically focused
on public debate as the means to identify a set of shared interests which the law
should uphold in the interests of all. Within pluralistic societies, however, a greater
attention must be paid to the background social conditions that may disrupt the
deliberative process and lead to factionalism and instability. This includes certain
changes in perspectives by both religious and secular citizens.
authority of the law which applies to all citizens alike presents an especial challenge
for the governments of European nations with socially diverse and pluralistic
populations. I address this problem from within the republican tradition represented
by Machiavelli, Harrington and Madison. Republicans have historically focused
on public debate as the means to identify a set of shared interests which the law
should uphold in the interests of all. Within pluralistic societies, however, a greater
attention must be paid to the background social conditions that may disrupt the
deliberative process and lead to factionalism and instability. This includes certain
changes in perspectives by both religious and secular citizens.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26-40 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Politics in Central Europe |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |