Entre o liberalismo e o republicanismo: Habermas e a democracia deliberativa

Abstract

The article emphasizes the concept of deliberative democracy proposed by Jürgen Habermas. It preserves the positive moments of liberalism and republicanism at the same time that it overcomes what is considered negative either of one or the other. It is starting from the synthesis between liberalism and republicanism that Habermas will articulate his concept of deliberative democracy, considering that both traditions, according to Habermas, are insufficient for thinking about contemporary political demands. In his Theory of Communicative Action, 1981, Habermas had not yet reflected questions of his political philosophy, such as freedom, democratic state of law, public sphere, social movements, popular sovereignty and human rights, among others. It was only in Between Facts and Norms, written in 1992, that Habermas formulated the idea of a deliberative democracy, concept henceforth used as a reference for all his recent political reflections. Firstly, we shall explain Habermas's analysis of liberalism and republicanism, showing how he articulates the synthesis between both traditions. Next, we will properly emphasize the concept of deliberative democracy. Finally, we shall discuss the complex relationship between the public sphere and the parliament, highlighting the importance of social movements in political renewal. Habermas's post-metaphysical thought has enabled the articulation of the deliberative democracy concept, mediated by a critique of both liberalism and republicanism, which, in Habermas, gains new aspects through an attempt to synthesize both traditions. The political reflection in Habermas also results from a challenge to overcome a supposed "democratic deficit" within Critical Theory, except for the works of Franz Neumann and Otto Kirchheimer. Is Habermas really able to do that?