Charles Taylor and republican democracy

• Published in: Revista de ciencia política (Santiago) 2010-01, Vol.30 (3), p.599-617
• Main Authors: Renato, Cristi, Ricardo, Tranjan J
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Democracy; Democratic theory; Neoliberalism; Political regimes; Political theory; Politics; Republicanism; Taylor, Charles
• ISSN: 0716-1417
• DOI: 10.4067/S0718-090X2010000300002

ABSTRACT IN SPANISH: Este trabajo expone la teoría democrática de Charles Taylor. Taylor defiende una concepción tocquevilliana de la democracia que opone tanto al minimalismo democrático neoliberal, como al republicanismo democrático de Rousseau. Primero, consideramos su crítica a la democracia neoliberal y sus determinaciones conceptuales: atomismo, libertad negativa, procedimentalismo y bienes convergentes. Segundo, defiramos la "tesis republicana" de Taylor que presenta como la condición de posibilidad de una sociedad libre y autogobernada. Tercero, examinamos la desavenencia de Taylor con la homogeneización de intereses que el marxismo hereda de Rousseau. Finalmente, exploramos las posibilidades de aplicación de la teoría democrática de Taylor. Estudiamos su posible aplicación a dos economías en transición: Brasil y Chile. // ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: This paper examines Charles Taylor's democratic theory. Taylor defends a republican conception of democracy, which he opposes both to neoliberal democratic minimalism and to Rousseau and democratic republicanism. First, we consider his critique of neoliberal democracy and its conceptual determinations: atomism, negative freedom, proceduralism and convergent goods. Second, we define Taylor's "republican thesis" which he presents as the condition of the possibility of agrees and self-governed society. Third, we study Taylor's disagreement with the homogenization of interests that Marxism inherits from Rousseau. Finally, we explore the possibility of applying Taylor's democratic theory. The case of Brazil and Chile are analyzed for this purpose.