| Abstract [eng] |
Communitarianism emerged as a critique to liberalism. Communitarians are aiming to show that communitarianism is an alternative political theory which could successfully compete with other political theories. However, it is maintained that liberalism and communitarianism are not separate theories and they only disagree over the proper role of power. Thesis claims that the communitarian concept of power is liberal and, therefore, communitarianism is not a distinct political theory, but a liberal one. Communitarianism denies a liberal claim that it is possible to agree about the principles of justice. Moreover, communitarians maintain that a liberal concept of free individual is a false view. They emphasize the significance of the community in the life of an individual, because it helps one to become a real human being. On the other hand, if there are only communal values and we cannot commensurate them, because there are no universal principles then everything is possible. Thus it is impossible to criticize or condemn other communal practices. That is why communitarians claim that there are some non-communal principles, like “parity of participation” and “everyone has an equal rights”. They emphasize that no community can be more superior than other, so power has to be neutral. Communitarian critique of liberalism is not irresistible. Firstly, it simplifies the liberal concept of an individual. Secondly, liberals agree with some of the communitarians proposals, like the role of community in the life of an individual. Furthermore, the communitarian theory rest on liberal assumptions – equality and freedom, neutrality of the state. The role which is attributed to the state is the same for communitarians and for liberals. Both liberals and communitarians claim that state has to secure conditions that would enable the right for all to participate in the governance. It also has to reform communities and other associations and should not try to implement any concept of good. Thus communitarian concept of power does not add anything to liberalism. |
